Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Weekly Planning List from Dublin City Council July 17th - 20th


Weekly Planning List from Dublin City Council

AREA 5
COMBINED  COMMERCIAL:
Area
Area 5 - North Central
Application Number
2164/12
Application Type
Permission
Applicant
Clontarf Castle Hotel Ltd
Location
Clontarf Castle Hotel, Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3
Proposal
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of  external guest area to include 98m2 exterior raised hardwood terrace with ramped and stepped access, fixed seating and raised planters. There will be no fixing to the external stone. No original fabric to be removed.

Registration Date
19-Jul-2012

Clarification of Add. Information Recd.


Area
Area 5 - North Central
Application Number
2922/12
Application Type
Permission
Applicant
Bord Gais Eireann
Location
Alfie Byrne Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3
Proposal
A new Bord Gais Eireann above ground installation (AGI) consisting of a one storey regulator kiosk (31.1m2 in area) a one storey instrumentation kiosk (11.8m2 in area), an access road to Alfie Byrne Road, graveled area, rendered concrete block & RC wall and paladin security fence, any associated landscaping, any ancillary equipment and facilities.

Registration Date
17-Jul-2012




Area
Area 5 - North Central
Application Number
2926/12
Application Type
Permission
Applicant
Ayrfield United Football Club
Location
Blunden Drive, Aryfield, Dublin 13
Proposal
Permission for 3 new all weather playing pitches which will include flood lighting, fencing, drainage and all associated works at Blunden Drive, Ayrfield, Dublin 13.
Registration Date
18-Jul-2012




Area
Area 5 - North Central
Application Number
2933/12
Application Type
Permission
Applicant
Denis Cronin
Location
Rear Of, 3, Clonturk Park, On Unnamed Laneway, Off Richmond Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Proposal
For alterations at motor repair premises. The alterations will comprise replacement of two existing roofs of differing profiles with a new single roof, to be extended to enclose existing yard at rear. The yard is ancillary to the motor repair business carried on at the premises and accommodates storage for car parts, compressor, water tank and toilet facilities.The ridge of the new roof will be no higher than that of the existing roof at the front of the premises. A new personel exit door will also be provided adjacent the existing entrance doors to comply with fire safety regulations.
Registration Date
19-Jul-2012




Area
Area 5 - North Central
Application Number
2936/12
Application Type
Permission
Applicant
SGHN Limited
Location
St Gabriels Nursing Home, Glenayle Road, Edenmore, Dublin 5
Proposal
The erection of two storey and single storey bedroom and ancillary accommodation extensions on the east side, internal alterations & associated site works. The development will increase the number of resident bedrooms from 53 to 75.
Registration Date
19-Jul-2012




Area
Area 5 - North Central
Application Number
2941/12
Application Type
Permission
Applicant
Capital Entertainment & Leisure Ltd
Location
The Grand Bingo Hall, 402, Collins Avenue,Whitehall, Dublin 9
Proposal
The development will comprise of new signage with internal lighting on the front and sides of the existing canopy and new decal window signage to the overhead windows.
Registration Date
19-Jul-2012




Area
Area 5 - North Central
Application Number
2947/12
Application Type
Permission
Applicant
The Sisters of Nazareth
Location
Nazareth House, Malahide Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3 (opposite clontarf golf course)
Proposal
The development will consist of the erection of 1no. 3m high free-standing triangular profile totem entrance sign at main entrance to site; 1no. sign (individually pressed brushed stainless steel lettering) to front elevation facing Malahide Road and 5no. directional signs (non illuminated post mounted), all within the site boundary.

Registration Date
20-Jul-2012

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Empowering the Community to Teach the Child - Seminar Follow up




Empowering the Community to Teach the Child -

An Integrated Approach to Tackling Educational Disadvantage

As requested, please find links to presentations by speakers at last Friday's Seminar in the Skylon Hotel below.

Opening Address:
Fergus Finlay (CEO Barnardos)

Empowering the Parent
Joesphine Bleach (Early Learning Initiative, National College of Ireland)
Eleanor McClorey (Young Ballymun)

Empowering the Community:
John Stewart (National Adult Literacy Agency)
Noel Kelly (Northside Partnership)

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Post re: Phoenix Park Concerts (Warning: Video Contains Violent Images)






Time to Stop Blaming Young People for the Ills of Irish Society

The events in the Phoenix Park last Saturday were truly shocking: loss of life, multiple stabbing incidents, drug overdoses, eye-witness accounts of excessive alcohol consumption and you-tube footage of mud-covered physical assaults has justifiably shocked those who witnessed the events or those who heard of these sorry tales.

However as usual a convenient blame-game aimed at the event organisers, Gardaí and young people in general has ensued which, while understandable, misses the point on Irish society’s responsibility to tackle our relationship with alcohol excess, and ‘excess’ in general.

Predictably meetings will be called for and meetings will take place. Politicians will demand answers, column inches will be filled with criticisms of disrespectful young people, inevitable calls will be made for schools to stir our young people in the right direction (as usual) and then we’ll all move on.

Blaming young people for what happened on Saturday night is understandable, but short-sighted. Is it any surprise that this generation of Irish people drink to excess and resort to aggressive behaviour when every other generation of Irish people have done something similar since records began?

It was as a result of the Irish reputation for alcoholism that the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association was formed in 1898. Both my parents are still members. They say they were trying to change the view of the Irish abroad.

In 1884 the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in part because of the reality of the wasted youth of Ireland engaging in drunkenness and very little else at the turn of the last century.

In 1961 Tom Murphy’s play ‘A Whistle in the Dark’ was criticised in Ireland for its betrayal of Irish emigrants as being drunken, brawling criminals. It clearly touched a nerve.

While I didn’t learn drunkenness from my parents, I do drink, have often drunk too much and regularly laughed about it afterwards. But I have seen decent people do ridiculous and violent things when under the influence of alcohol. And I know I’m not alone. So where did we pick it up?

The excess culture reached its peak in the Celtic Tiger era. Our ears were stuffed with money and our noses were stuffed with cocaine. The country was in the midst of various murderous gang feuds but nobody cared as long as they were ‘shooting each other’.

Is it any wonder that the drunken thuggery of so many late-night chipper outlets around the country in the 80s and 90s would develop into cocaine filled excess and aggression in the 2000s, and then to what was witnessed last weekend? And is it a little simplistic to blame young people?

There is of course responsibility on the individual to conduct themselves and anyone who carries a knife around the place deserves everything the courts can throw at them. But we had a drink and drugs problem before last Saturday and we will have one for a long time until we start facing up to it.

A lot of factors combined to make the Swedish House Mafia concert a scene like hell on earth, but let’s stop blaming the young people and begin asking ourselves how we empower our young people, how we show leadership in relation to alcohol and drugs as adults.

Teaching our children to enjoy alcohol, from an early age might be part of the solution. However as long as its commerically viable to get people as drunk as possible as often as possible we'll remain in serious trouble.

This generation of young people carry the torch that we hand them in so many ways. Unfortunately we have handed them a torch that was quenched with alcohol. Can we expect them to pass on something better when they're done?

 


Friday, July 06, 2012

#Paisti2012 July 13th 'Empowering the Community to Teach the Child' Seminar Programme



Empowering the Community to Teach the Child -

An Integrated Approach to Tackling Educational Disadvantage
Friday July 13th: Skylon Hotel, Drumcondra, Dublin 9


The Oireachtas Education and Social Protection Committee are compiling a report dedicated to identifying strategies to combat educational disadvantage at the earliest stage of a child's development.
A seminar on 'Empowering the Community to Teach the Child.' will take place on Friday, July 13th from 9.30am until 1pm in the Skylon Hotel, Dublin. Programme detailed below.
This is a chance to look at community based approaches to eradicating educational disadvantage - and decide how we can act on our ideas.
If you have an interest in attending this seminar then please make contact with my office on 01 857 4020 or Email: aodhan.oriordain@oireachtas.ie

Schedule:

09.30am: Registration

10.00am: Introduction and Context
- Seminar Chairperson Catherine Byrne (Former Deputy General Secretary INTO)

10.05am: Welcome
- Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (Vice-Chair Education & Social Protection Committee)

10.10am: Opening Address
- Fergus Finlay, (CEO Barnardos)

10.20am: 'Empowering the Parent'
- Josephine Bleach (Early Learning Initiative, National College of Ireland)
- Eleanor McClorey (Young Ballymun)

10.40am: 'Empowering the Community'
- John Stewart (National Adult Literacy Agency)
- Noel Kelly (Northside Partnership)

11.00am: Coffee Break

11.20am: Workshops

12.00pm: Feedback

12.30pm: 'Final Thoughts'
- Mark Candon (Principal, St Laurence O'Toole's CBS, Sheriff Street)

12.40pm: Panel Discussion / Q and A

01.00pm: Close

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Higher Maths for Teacher Training Not the Solution


The proposal that higher level Maths will be a subject requirement for entry into Primary Teacher Training Colleges offers no guarantees that it will prove to be more than a cosmetic change. While the report from the National Competiveness Council in relation to our numeracy standards deserves careful consideration, it is important not to pursue policies that could potentially do more harm than good. While the various teacher training colleges and the Teaching Council are currently examining this proposal, I would have grave concerns in relation to the effectiveness of the measure in terms of pupil learning and also about the potential of placing unnecessary restrictions on entry to the teaching profession.
1. Effectiveness of Measure is in Question:
Seán Delaney PhD of the Marino Institute of Education stated in his study ‘Knowing What Counts’ in December 2010 that:
 ‘Such a move may be of more symbolic than of concrete value, because at best it is likely to improve only the common content knowledge held by prospective teachers.’
See report here: 
Such a change would clearly have the impact of placing a higher emphasis on Mathematics amongst those intent of pursuing a career in teaching, however evidence would suggest that the effects within the classroom would be minimal.
Mr Delaney and seperately representatives from the INTO have previously stated that the provision of substantial teacher professional development, especially during initial teacher education, is a priority which will have a much more far-reaching impact on the delivery of excellent mathematical tuition in schools.
It is my view that the competence of the teacher when leaving training college is of a much higher priority than the marks obtained by college entrants in their Leaving Certificate Examinations.

2. Broadening the Base of Teachers

I have long held the view that the teachers in our classrooms should, as much as is possible, reflect the society that is served by the education system. My view was articulated clearly in this article I penned for the Irish Times last March entitled ‘Teachers Must Come From All Sections of Society’:

See article here:

The reality is that placing an extra requirement for entry into teacher training college however well-meaning, should demonstrate a demonstrable return, otherwise it is merely symbolic. All it does is to create greater problems for those of us who wish to improve access and to create a teaching profession more reflective of society and of the children that populate our classrooms.

Many disadvantaged secondary schools, do not have the capacity to offer Higher Level Mathematics at Leaving Certificate. It is my belief that the existing Irish Language requirement has acted as an unintentional barrier to the teaching profession. It can only be acknowledged by all reasonable observers that a requirement for Higher Level mathematics will only succeed in preventing excellent prospective teachers in disadvantaged areas fulfilling their dreams of creating a career for themselves in primary school teaching.

Reform is important, and we are working in a period of exiting change in the educational system. However I feel that this measure would not have the desired effect and could potentially do more harm than good.

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Apology from letter-writer ...

Here in the interests of fairness, is the text of the apology that the same emailer sent later today. But in a way, is it even worse?

I'd like your views...aodhan.oriordain@oireachtas.ie or @aodhanoriordain on twitter

Re: Mr. Gilmore's statement on same-sex marriage

Dear Labour representative,


With reference to my email of 2 July, I realise now that my choice of wording was not good. I wish to make it clear that I did not mean any offence to you or to any Irish citizens and I apologise unreservedly if this was the case.


I was feeling very frustrated and angry with the ambiguous content of Mr. Gilmore's statement - "I don’t believe for example that it should ever be the role of the State to pass judgement on whom a person falls in love with, or whom they want to spend their life with.” I believe that he should have chosen his words more carefully because the state already passes judgement on certain liaisons.


I realise now that I should have stuck to the point about same-sex marriage and not drifted into an argument as to why I believe homosexual acts to be wrong. I am worried and scared about the future of my country if two people of the same sex can possibly legally adopt a child. I realise that not everyone agrees with me but just as those liberal people are entitled to express their view, so am I.


Please accept this as a sincere apology for my badly-worded argument - though I am still opposed to same-sex marriage and do not wish to see it introduced.


Yours sincerely,

  

Homophobic email re: Gay Marraige

Email from member of public re: Gilmore's statement on Gay Marraige - they're still out there people....


Re: Mr. Gilmore's statement on same-sex marriage
Dear Labour Deputy or Senator,
I cannot comprehend how your party leader can use the phrase "moving on" concerning his support of the introduction of legislation to legalise marriage between two men or two women.

This is simply because he (and you) are being bombarded and hammered with non-stop propaganda by a very-well organised and tenacious lobby-group. While I can just about understand how their rhetoric might convince 'radical' students and 'go-with-the-flow' adults, I am stunned that it has convinced you and your colleagues in The Labour Party.

Why two men or two women? Why not a nephew and his aunt? No lobby. Why not a 75 year old man and his 15-year old neighbour? No lobby. Why not a bachelor man and his spinster sister? No lobby. Yet ALL THREE examples are far more NORMAL than celebrating the pushing of an erect penis into an anus in the pursuit of deviant sexual gratification.

Have you much or any knowledge of the sphincter muscle? It's a muscle in our anus, the sole purpose of which is to prevent (or try to prevent) a foreign object penetrating the anus. I wonder why it's there? If you believe in a Creator, can you pause for a moment and ask yourself - why did he / she design a human anus with a sphincter muscle?I know why. You know why.

At least think about Mr. Gilmore's 'progressive, movingon' statement. It is not based on honesty and surely, at the end of the day, one must try to be honest. I hope that you have the intelligence and the character to distance yourself from his statement and to make your own.

Yours sincerely,

(I've kept name and email address)