Cllr Ó Ríordáin Welcomes Rejection of Croke Park Parking Plan

Cllr Ó Ríordáin Welcomes Rejection of Croke Park Parking Plan - November 2nd City Council Meeting

I welcome the rejection of the City Manager's proposed event-day parking plan for the Croke Park area at tonight's City Council Meeting. The proposed bye-laws included a 'residents only' parking-cordon which would extend as far north as Grace Park Road, Collins Avenue and the Howth Road.

I was glad to see the plan voted down as I have many reservations about the report as proposed.
-The cordon would be completely unenforceable and unpoliceable
-The cost of the introduction would be €284,000 and €84,000 every year from now on
-The cordon would merely move the problem from one community to another

The experience from the Croke Park Community Liason Committee, which I was a founder member, is that the parking problem is a behavioural issue with one code which isn't as prevalent in other codes. In my view, better provision of public transport is the key:

-Use of QBCs and better Bus services on Match day Sundays
-Scheme to allow ticket holders free travel on match days in the city centre
-Introduction of a 'All-Star Walk' to encourage pedestrian passage to the stadium
-Extensive use of park-and-ride facilities in educational facilities and sports clubs

It is time now to accept the City Manager's proposal for a newly formed committee to be established with the City Manager, Senior Garda Management, the GAA President and Elected members. That proposal made at tonight's City Council Meeting by the Manager, coupled with suggestions made above, are the way forward in relation to match day parking problems.

Dublin Port Economic Study Doesn’t Justify Dublin Bay Reclamation - 28 October

Dublin Port Economic Study Doesn’t Justify Dublin Bay Reclamation - 28 October

Speaking at a public information meeting hosted by the Labour Party – “Dublin Bay: What Next” in the Clontarf Castle Hotel on Wednesday 28 October, Labour Party representatives, Cllr. Aodháin Ó Ríordáin and Bronwen Maher said the Labour Party is steadfastly opposed to the unnecessary reclamation of 21 hectares at the top of the Tolka Estuary, and that the recent Government’s Dublin Port Economic Study does not justify Dublin Bay reclamation. Also speaking at the meeting was Cllr. Dermot Lacey, newly elected chair of the Dublin Bay Task Force.

Cllr. Ó Ríordáin stated: “The Government commissioned two major bodies of work on Dublin Bay and Dublin Port. One, commissioned by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he set up the Dublin Bay Task Force to draw up a Master plan for Dublin Bay, and this work has yet to be completed.

The second report, The Dublin Port National Development Plan Study by Indecon Consultants, has been completed and was published by Transport Minister Dempsey last August. This report makes a number of recommendations on the future of Dublin Port based on economic assessments. The three main scenarios outlined in the report include 1) options to relocate all or part of Dublin Port’s activities, 2) continue with the existing activities at Dublin Port with opportunities for expansion in line with demand; and 3) continuation of port activities at current levels with no scope for expansion.

The report concludes “the closure of Dublin Port is not justified on economic grounds as the benefits of alternative land use is less than envisaged and…would not justify the costs involved. However the Labour Party believe that the Transport Minister’s report also clearly does not justify proposals to reclaim 21 hectares of Dublin Bay.”

Bronwen Maher said: “The Labour Party’s preferred option for the future of Dublin Port is the retention of a vibrant, dynamic city port, removing large heavy port activity to an alternative site and without the unnecessary infilling or expanding into Dublin Bay”.

“However looking at the economic argument is only part of the challenge. What is strange about Minister Noel Dempsey’s port study is that it fails to address Climate Change issues or makes no mention of the fact that the port is located in an important EU recognised wild bird habitat, and any breach of this legislation will result in heavy fines for the State.

The Labour Party also believe that to proceed with any major development in Dublin Bay prior to the completion of the Dublin Bay Task Force’s work would be premature, and not in the interest of proper planning and development.
“The Dublin Bay Task Force should be allowed to complete its work drawing up the Master Plan for Dublin Bay, and the Labour Party calls on the Government and the Minister for the Environment John Gormley TD to intervene and ask Dublin Port to withdraw their application in the interests of proper planning and the sustainable development of the Bay”.

Earlier this year Labour Party Spokesperson on Transport, Tommy Broughan TD, made a strong submission to An Bord Pleanála opposing the 21 hectares reclamation plan on environmental, amenity and quality of life grounds and the inherent planning deficiencies of the proposal. The Labour Party submission called for the most efficient use of the existing 532 acres (215.431 hectares) of Dublin Port lands to provide for capacity out to 2030 and beyond and the abandonment of the reclamation plan.

BRONWEN MAHER A GREAT ADDITION TO LABOUR IN DUBLIN NORTH CENTRAL - OCTOBER 14TH

BRONWEN MAHER A GREAT ADDITION TO LABOUR IN DUBLIN NORTH CENTRAL - OCTOBER 14TH

Today's announcement that former Green Party Councillor Bronwen Maher has joined the Labour Party is a massive vote of confidence in the Labour Party in Dublin North Central.

The Labour Party is determined to win back the valuable Dáil seat that was held in Dublin North Central until 2002. Bronwen's addition to the Labour team in our constituency shows how many political activists of various backgrounds are now turning to the Labour Party as the only means of providing real change in our country.

Bronwen's has an excellent record on issues such as Women's Rights, Childcare, Dublin Bay, Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice. Her desire to join the Labour Party shows that we are the policy leaders in these areas and that we together will win back that Dáil seat in the next General Election.

I look forward to working with Bronwen and all members of the Labour Party in Dublin North Central to help to bring about the national and local change that we need so much.

Campaign for Flood Compensation

October ‘09
Campaign for Flood Compensation
An advertisement appeared in the National Newspapers in February 2002 announcing a Government Sponsored Relief Scheme for Flood Victims.
There is no such scheme in 2009 for those affected by the floods of last August.
If it was good enough for families in 2002 then it should be good enough for families in 2009.
Please sign up to my campaign to ensure that the Department of Environment and Local Government properly compensate families and households for damage done to their property through no fault of their own.
Please support the Petition for Flood Compensation that will be sent directly to the Minister for the Environment.
E-mail:
‘I support the Campaign for Flood Compensation’
with your name and address to aodhan.oriordain@gmail.com
Text:
‘I support the Campaign for Flood Compensation’
with your name and address to 086-8190336

DUBS SHOULD SUPPORT THEIR LADIES - AND PARK RESPONSIBLY!

DUBS SHOULD SUPPORT THEIR LADIES - AND PARK RESPONSIBLY!
Saturday September 26th 2009

The Dublin sporting public should come out in support of the Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football team in tomorrow's TG4 All-Ireland final. It is particularly important in an era where female sports are given paltry service by the national media, that positive female role-models are promoted by sporting families - research continually points to an increasing obesity crisis amongst children and particularly amongst young girls.

The Dublin Ladies team work as hard as their male counterparts without the commercial recognition and therefore they deserve a bumper Dublin crowd to cheer them on. However it is also key that supporters driving to the game park responsibly as games with smaller attendances cause the most parking problems around the stadium.

I wish the Dublin Ladies and their manager Gerry Magill every success in tomorrow's final.

DCC PROPOSALS TO CLOSE POOLS WILL BE OPPOSED

DCC Proposal to close Crumlin, Sean McDermott St and Coolock Pools will be Vehemently Opposed - Sept 23rd

The proposal outlined at today's meeting of the Arts Culture and Youth Affairs Strategic Policy Committee of Dublin City Council to close three of our city's swimming pools will be vehemently opposed by myself and other Labour Party Councillors.

These closures would have a devastating effect on the communities that they serve as thousands of members of the public use these facilities each year. These pools were designed as a public amenity, not a revenue raising exercise and it seems counter-productive in the extreme for the council to be considering closure as we face continuing childhood obesity and anti-social behaviour problems.

No closure will be accepted and all proposals to close the existing facilities will be meet with Labour opposition at every stage.

Council Behaviour Over Fairview Park Appalling

Council Behaviour Over Fairview Park Appalling - Sept 09

The behaviour of City Councillor management in relation to the reconstruction of the playground in Fairview Park following the completion of the Port Tunnel works is absolutely appalling.

Despite continuous lobbying from myself and other public representatives in relation to the playground and in relation to the construction of suitable dressing rooms for local sports clubs, it seems that the Liveline programme on RTE Radio is entitled to more information that I am, as an elected councillor.

A number of weeks ago the council confirmed to the programme that the NRA had allocated €6 million to the council in order to complete all works needed in Fairview Park, a fact not made known to me despite many council questions on the issue. The stock answer received from the council was that work would begin 'when funds were available'. It seems that City Council management have zero respect for city councillors and the people who elect them.

I have attached the reply I have received to the council question I tabled at Monday nights meeting which again fails to address many of the concerns that were raised. This latest chapter in the Fairview saga follows the council's failure to capitalise on €300,000 worth of Sports Capital Funding in the recent past for the building of a 7-a-side all-weather pitch in Fairview, the time limit for which eventually elapsed..

It is time for management to stop treating councillors, clubs and residents with disdain, and to build the park that the people deserve with the funds that are clearly available.

Question to City Manager City Council Meeting 07/09/2009

Q145. COUNCILLOR AODHÁN Ó’RIORDÁIN
NCAC To ask the Manager for a statement in relation to Fairview Park and the statement from the NRA that they allocated €6million to Dublin City Council this year including funds specifically for improving the playground at Fairview Park? This is according to the Liveline programme on RTE Radio One last Friday the 21st of August.
Why were local Councillors not informed of this funding despite numerous council questions being tabled on the matter?
Why were local sports clubs involved in numerous meetings with the council not informed about this funding?
Why has works on the local playground not been undertaken?
Will the Manager give an absolute commitment for the completion of the new playground in Fairview Park in this calendar year of 2009 and a timescale for the construction of the project.


CITY MANAGER’S REPLY:

Dublin City Council agreed a figure of €1.6million with the National Roads Authority (NRA) in respect of disruption caused to Fairview Park as a result of the construction of the Port Tunnel. This funding together with internal resources is to be used for restoration works in Fairview Park including construction of a pavilion and a new playground.

Roads and Traffic Department sought an allocation of €8.5m in 2009 to cover anticipated needs including €1.6m for Fairview Park. The allocated amount of €6million by the NRA in 2009 was insufficient to meet the contractual commitments, including an incoming debit balance of €3m incurred by the City Council on the Port Tunnel Project and it was therefore not possible to commit to accepting the tender for the construction of the pavilion due the uncertainty with the funding.

The City Council are now rigorously pursuing the NRA to fulfil their commitments with regard to Fairview Park. Following a meeting recently with public representatives and local clubs, a commitment was made to fast track the construction of a modular pavilion to a specification agreed with Clubs. Pending clarification of the NRA funding, the likely completion date for the playground is during 2010.

Contact

Paul Clegg, Executive Manager
Tel: 222 3300