tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15067336881259230152024-03-13T12:40:41.795+00:00Cllr Dermot LooneyIndependent, Principled, Left-Wing | Standing Up For Our CommunityDermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-83540737224368051102014-11-20T08:33:00.002+00:002014-11-20T08:33:46.021+00:00Statement on Firhouse SchoolsStatement on Firhouse Schools<br />
<br />
Thanks to the many dozens of people who have been in touch with me in recent days – and, indeed, over the last 18 months – regarding the siting of two schools in the Firhouse area. Vigorous campaigns have been organised by local residents and by two school communities. Other local organisations including Firhouse Carmel FC have also made representations.<br />
<br />
This has been a difficult process for all concerned. I appreciate the many individual emails and letters I have received on this matter, and the trouble local people have taken to outline their concerns on both sides of the debate.<br />
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I am unhappy with many of the processes involved since this issue was first raised. Regardless of this, though, I have involved myself in attempting to resolve the issues as Mayor and as a Councillor, representing Firhouse directly since May’s election.<br />
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There are a number of legitimate concerns on both sides of this debate. There is also considerable misinformation and some false claims. There have been simply too many emails over the past 2 weeks in particular to which I have been able to respond directly. Instead, I have decided to try to address the issues in a statement. As many people are raising similar questions with me, I thought a “frequently-asked questions” format would be appropriate. Some of the questions are direct quotes from emails I have received. Others cover the representations in a more general sense.<br />
<br />
I appreciate that many people may feel this is a straightforward issue. However, for me as a Councillor, it is complex and detailed. Many people on both sides of the issue are aware of these complexities. Others are not. Therefore, apologies in advance for the length of this post, and for going over what for many will be old ground. None of this is a legal or official interpretation, but my own words.<br />
<br />
Who are the schools in question?<br />
The schools are Firhouse Educate Together NS (ETNS) and Gaelscoil na Giúise. Both are primary schools. Firhouse ETNS is a multi-denominational school under the patronage of Educate Together. Gaelscoil na Giúise is a multi-denominational school under the patronage of An Foras Patrúnacha.<br />
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Do these schools exist? Are they open?<br />
A number of emails have spoken of possible or hypothetical schools. These schools already exist and have operated since September 2013. Both schools currently have Junior Infants and Senior Infants classes.<br />
<br />
Who decided these schools should be opened?<br />
The decision was taken in 2012-13 by the then Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, and his Department. This was on the basis of work done by the Dept of Education in determining where there was a need for new schools. This study was based on population statistics, the pattern of school enrolments and a study of different patronage options. The Dept decided that two new schools were required in the Firhouse area. They asked South Dublin County Council to identify a site for these two schools, with the preferred option for the two schools to be located beside each other (a “campus arrangement”).<br />
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Who proposed that these schools should be located on green space in Firhouse?<br />
The Dept of Education, under procedures revised in 2008 and 2012, asked South Dublin County Council (SDCC) to identify and seek to acquire a site for these schools. SDCC planners engaged in a study of lands in the area in 2012. Several of the sites were ruled out. In 2013, they proposed to locate these schools on the green space in question, a patch of green space located adjacent to Firhouse Community Centre, between the Killinniny Rd and Ballycullen Drive. The proposal was in two phases – Phase One, to locate two small temporary schools on the site, and Phase Two to extend this to two larger schools.<br />
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Weren’t these plans rejected by Councillors? What consultation took<br />
place?<br />
Not formally. The Council first met with Councillors. Some Cllrs stated that they did not agree that there was any need for new schools for the area (I attended these briefing meetings and raised questions, but broadly accepted the need for new schools). SDCC staff also met at this stage with representatives from Firhouse Community Centre and Firhouse Carmel FC. SDCC then put the proposal out to “Part 8” consultation. There was significant local opposition to the proposals. Councillors such as myself (I was Mayor at the time), in respect of the opposition, asked Council officials to investigate alternative sites. Council officials then deferred the “Part 8” (Phase One of the plan) – it is now back on the agenda.<br />
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What happened with the schools?<br />
Both schools had been established with a view to beginning in September 2013. Without the Phase One “Part 8” agreed, they were unable to begin in the proposed temporary accommodation. Instead they tried to source alternative accommodation somewhere else in the area. Firhouse ETNS secured accommodation in the upstairs of Tymon Bawn Community Centre, near Aylesbury. Gaelscoil na Giúise secured accommodation in the upstairs of Firhouse Community Centre. Both schools still operate from these Centres.<br />
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Can’t these schools stay in these Centres, at least for a couple more years?<br />
The simple answer is no. The accommodation in these Community Centres is totally inappropriate for schools, in particular given that the pupils are currently infants. As a teacher, I understand that even if the Community Centres could continue to house these schools, the accommodation is totally unsuitable. However, given that the schools are still growing – both will be taking on a new stream next year, and each year after that – the Centres cannot accommodate them regardless.<br />
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What did you do as a Councillor to try to seek that these schools be accommodated elsewhere?<br />
I did a number of things.<br />
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I raised the issue in person with former Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn, and subsequently wrote to him;<br />
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I supported, despite concerns, the change in the Ballycullen-Oldcourt Local Area Plan to provide school zoning at Gunny Hill (see below)<br />
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I held meetings with planning officials to seek to advance the potential of the Gunney Hill site and the Victory Centre in particular<br />
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I sought updates on the situation at meetings of the Council and in my daily dealings with management.<br />
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What is the Gunney Hill site?<br />
This is a privately-owned site at the top of Ballycullen, near to Hunterswood, and across the R113 from the Lidl supermarket. Many people have suggested that the schools be located there as an alternative. The schools themselves, and myself, have been open to that idea.<br />
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Why isn’t the Gunney Hill site being used? Wouldn’t that solve this issue?<br />
Because the Dept of Education have said “no.” They have said that they will not countenance purchasing the land here for these schools. This has been their repeated message all along, as recent as November 18th.<br />
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Can’t the Councillors force them to use the Gunney Hill site instead?<br />
No. This is where the reality of power and the cumbersome system of planning and educational provision are relevant. Councillors, myself included, have zoned this site for school purposes. But the Dept of Education are the ones who make the decision on where they will purchase the land. They have stated that they will not be purchasing the land for these schools. They outline their reasons in a letter on Gaelscoil na Giúise’s blog. Among these are that the school is too far away from the catchment area in Firhouse, and that they wish to reserve this site for a new school if/when further development happens in Ballycullen.<br />
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Can’t you put pressure on them?<br />
Councillors already have, to no avail. The Dept have confirmed all along that they will not be purchasing the site.<br />
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Can’t you “call their bluff?”<br />
I have heard the statement being made by other political representatives, that the Dept of Education are bluffing and that if Councillors reject the proposals at the site adjacent to the Firhouse Community Centre, the Dept of Education will be forced to reconsider. Nothing in my experience as a Councillor, and nothing in my experience in education in general, leads me to believe that this will be the case. I may not like that the Dept of Education has this particular power, but I accept that as a Councillor making a decision I am required to recognise the reality of this. I also recognise that by continuing to pursue this site despite all the evidence showing the Dept aren’t interested, the chips used in calling such a bluff are the children of these schools.<br />
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What about the Victory Centre?<br />
This is a former church-type community facility off the Firhouse Road. It has been closed in recent years. I and another former Councillor suggested this as a possibility for school accommodation. This site was investigated. It was found not to meet Dept of Education standards or requirements. The building would need to be demolished for a school or schools to be built at the site. The ownership of this land and the Centre is being contested in a lengthy court battle. The Dept of Education have again ruled out pursuing this option for these schools.<br />
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What about other sites?<br />
In total, the Council investigated 16 sites in the overall area. A report is given on the SDCC site about each of these sites. All but 2 are ruled out for a variety of reasons – not being available due to development, flooding issues, lack of services (roads etc), etc.<br />
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What about the Old Bawn Crossroads Site?<br />
This is the only site other than the site adjacent to Firhouse Community Centre which Council planners and the Dept of Education have put forward. It is a triangle of green space diagonally-opposite the Old Mill pub. It is a small site, and would only be able to accommodate one school – as part of any such plan, a second school would be located at the site adjacent to Firhouse Community Centre.<br />
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For me, this is not a good option. Traffic and road safety issues are very significant here. The tightness of the site would require an unusual and likely very expensive build, including underground car parking facilities and an enclosed play area on the roof of the school. I do not support the proposal to locate a school at this site.<br />
<br />
What is being lost at the site adjacent to Firhouse Community Centre?<br />
Approximately 2 hectares of green space will be lost at the site if the permanent schools are built. The site is owned by South Dublin County Council. Much of it comprises a hill close to the Community Centre itself. The remainder is a flatter patch of ground, including a section which is currently used as a pitch by Firhouse Carmel FC. The non-pitch space is used mainly for football training and the holding of a yearly mini world cup tournament. People also walk their dogs etc at the site. The frequency of use of the site is contested. The school site is approximately ¼ of the green belt between the Ballycullen Rd and Firhouse Community College; it is approximately 1/10 of the green space in the immediate area (including Parklands etc); it is less than 5% of the overall green space in the Firhouse area.<br />
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Aren’t Firhouse Carmel FC losing pitches?<br />
No. The Part 8 (the temporary accommodation or “Phase One”) will not affect any existing pitches. The next phase of development would require one pitch to be moved and realigned. Significant works will be required to properly drain and fix this pitch. The Council planners have committed to funding these works from the sale of the site to the Dept of Education.<br />
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Won’t this proposal result in increased traffic?<br />
The simple answer is yes. There is no way you could build two 16-classroom schools anywhere in Ireland, and not have increased traffic flows. The same concerns apply to all of the other sites to be considered in Firhouse. This is a legitimate concern of local residents. However, I will be making the case that planning conditions need to be put in place to minimise traffic dropping children to school; different opening hours for the two schools; different entrances; strong engagement from the off with Green Schools programmes to encourage and promote walking and cycling to school.<br />
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The location of the site in the centre of Firhouse means that almost all houses are within a 1km radius – meaning far more opportunity for walking in particular. Both schools are cognisant of this as a major concern and are committed to minimising traffic flow.<br />
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What’s the difference between a Part 8 and a Section 183?<br />
A Part 8 is a process whereby the Council agrees to develop something on its own land. Councillors are informed, a public consultation occurs, and Councillors then vote for or against. The majority of the Part 8 process for this site took place in 2013 but no vote on the matter has taken place.<br />
A Section 183 is a vote of the Councillors to dispose of (sell) land to a third party, in this case the Dept of Education.<br />
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What happens if the proposal for 2 schools at the site is passed on Thursday?<br />
If the proposal is passed, work on the Part 8 can begin in the next few weeks. This would result in temporary school accommodation for the two schools and would secure their future. Separately, a Section 183 will be brought to December’s Council meeting for the agreement of Councillors. If this is passed, the Dept of Education will then own the site. They will then lodge a planning application for the building of these schools which will provide full details of all works. Residents and all concerned can make submissions during the planning application. SDCC will then decide to grant or refuse permission based on planning practice, the County Development Plan, etc. If residents or others are unhappy with this outcome, they may appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála.<br />
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What happens if the proposal for 2 schools at the site is rejected on Thursday?<br />
The schools will be thrown into limbo regarding their future. They have no accommodation, temporary or otherwise, from September onwards. In theory, the Council could seek to pursue another site. My political belief is that no other site is an option for the variety of reasons expressed above. The green space will remain as is. The schools, without the certainty of a permanent site, may be forced to close.<br />
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Is there a need for these schools?<br />
Simply put, yes. Population in the area is growing. The birth rate is increasing. More parents are seeking multi-denominational schools or Gaelscoileanna for their children. Even if someone thought there wasn’t a “need” for the schools, they already exist. I believe it is the task of everyone concerned to ensure they are appropriately accommodated and have certainty for the future.<br />
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Can’t existing schools in Firhouse cater for everyone?<br />
The three existing schools in the immediate area – Scoil Carmel, Scoil Treasa and Holy Rosary – are fantastic schools. I know more than most given my work as a teacher close by in Tallaght. However, all 3 are under Catholic patronage. At present, all three schools accept all children who apply, meaning children of all faiths and none are enrolled in the school. There is no guarantee, with the projected increase in the number of children in the wider area, that they will be able to continue this policy. The enrolment policy of all 3 schools, like all Catholic National Schools (including the one I teach in myself), is to firstly cater for Catholic children in the parish. Their enrolment policies are available online. There is a legitimate worry that these schools will not be able to cater for all children as they can at present, and that non-baptised children locally will be forced to leave the area. This difficulty is already being grappled with in schools elsewhere in Dublin and is a likely scenario for the coming years. This is in addition to the fact that some parents would prefer the Educate Together ethos or a scoil lán-Gaelach.<br />
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Can’t this proposal be deferred?<br />
To defer this proposal yet further leaves both schools in limbo and continues to prolong the difficulties already experienced for all interested. I believe a decision should be made now.<br />
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Won’t house values decrease?<br />
No. This would not be a factor in my decision-making. However, a recent study shows that house values close to a school increase significantly.<br />
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Are you happy with the public consultation on this matter?<br />
No. I am unhappy with the statutory processes and informal consultation. I believe a result of the failures in consultation is the level of misinformation and false statements being made. I have met with other Independent Councillors to seek to advance new ways of ensuring public consultation is done better on projects such as this. Regardless, as a Councillor I have a decision to make. I feel adequately informed to make that decision.<br />
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You were elected by the people of Firhouse to represent their views. Why are you voting for these schools given the level of local opposition?<br />
I was elected by all the people of this ward to represent their views and also to stay true to the political beliefs I articulated. A large number of residents living close to the site – and some living further away – have expressed their objections. However, a large number of parents, grandparents and others living in Firhouse have expressed their support for this. In fact, up until two weeks ago, the majority of people I would have heard from on this issue would have been supportive of these plans. That proportion has changed in recent weeks. I accept that objecting local residents have genuine and real concerns regarding loss of a part of their green space and increases in traffic. I do not accept some of the other arguments being advanced. My balanced view as a Councillor is that the benefits of these schools being situated at this site, which for me is the only achievable option, outweigh these concerns.<br />
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How well do you know the site?<br />
I know the area myself from playing football in the Community Centre for a couple of years. I have travelled to the site on several occasions over recent weeks to look at the activity there. I have also read all of the reports and attended two years of briefings on the site acquisition, Part 8, etc. Of course, I do not know the site as well as local people. I do not live in Firhouse.<br />
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How will you be voting?<br />
I will be voting in favour of the Part 8 for temporary accommodation, and in favour of the option to develop both schools at this site.<br />
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What are Councillors actually voting on?<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
The vote Councillors will take on Thursday is;<br />
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To express a preference for one of two options – Option 1; disposing of land (selling it to the Dept of Education) for two schools on a site adjacent to Firhouse Community Centre; or Option 2; disposing of part of this site for one school, and another site at Old Bawn Crossroads for another school. Councillors may vote in favour of Option 1 or Option 2, or may reject both.<br />
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If Option 1 is voted for, the actual legal document to sell the site to the Dept of Education (a Section 183) will be brought to December’s meeting of South Dublin Council, to be voted on by Councillors. If Option 2 is voted for (which I believe is highly unlikely), then a Section 183 for the Old Bawn Crossroads site will be voted on at Thursday’s meeting, and a separate Section 183 for part of the Firhouse Community Centre site will be brought to the December meeting. If neither Option is supported by Councillors, then nothing will change.<br />
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2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To agree a Part 8 proposal for the site at Firhouse Community Centre for two temporary 4-classroom schools. The purpose of this proposal is to allow temporary accommodation for the two schools in question – Firhouse Educate Together NS and Gaelscoil na Giúise – for up to four years. In essence this would allow accommodation for these schools while the proposed permanent accommodation goes through the planning process (which may take many months, depending on appeals, etc). This proposal also incorporates a permanent car park which can be used by both schools and others.<br />
<br />
DermotDermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-26782131344964650312014-06-17T20:14:00.000+01:002014-06-17T20:17:00.028+01:00A big thank you - and a few changes<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">An overdue thank you to the voters in the Templeogue-Terenure
Local Electoral Area who gave me a great mandate on May 23rd in returning me to
South Dublin County Council. I topped the poll with 2,826 votes - well over the
quota of 2,391 - and was thus elected on the first count. It was an
extraordinary achievement for an Independent candidate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can see the results at <a href="http://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2014L&cons=5030">http://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2014L&cons=5030</a>
and view a fantastic animation of the counts at <a href="http://www.clairebyrne.ie/counts/animation.php?count=south_dublin_templeogue-terenure">http://www.clairebyrne.ie/counts/animation.php?count=south_dublin_templeogue-terenure</a>
.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Huge thanks to my campaign team, my family and friends for their
support not just during the campaign, but over the past few years. It is clear
that my principled stance on the Council, my hard work in the local area, and
the response to the establishment parties provided the basis for such a
significant vote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I spent the following two weeks wrapping
up my term as Mayor of South Dublin, another fantastic honour. I have also
spent this time speaking with other Councillors in trying to push a progressive
agenda on South Dublin County Council. I signed up to the Progressive Alliance
of Sinn Féin, Independents, Labour and the Greens on SDCC. The <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city> commits to policies around job
creation and retention, provision of more social housing, tackling climate
change, ensuring the protection of public services and promoting community and
equality on the Council. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the time ahead, I will be seeking to
work with other Independent Councillors and others on the left, in SDCC and
elsewhere, to develop a more coherent approach to advance left wing politics
both locally and nationally – something which will take both time and effort.
With this in mind, I have also used the past few weeks to examine my own role
on the Council and on external bodies. There are many changes in local
government, some of which will mean that there are more Councillors seeking to
be elected to fewer positions to statutory bodies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After 5 years on the Dublin/Dún Laoghaire
Education and Training Board (formerly County Dublin VEC), I have decided not
to contest for the ETB again. I have enjoyed getting my teeth into education
and youth policy and operations in the County, and have particularly been proud
of my work on several school boards of management. I also served on the Youth
and Sport Subcommittee of the ETB. There is a huge amount of work involved in
the ETB and I think it is now time for someone else to be given a chance to
serve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have stepped down after 3 years of
involvement on the boards of <st1:placename w:st="on">Tallaght</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Community</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype>
and St Mark's <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Community</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place>, work which I have
thoroughly enjoyed. I thank the principals and boards for the ongoing work they
are doing in the community. I will remain on the Boards of Management in
Greenhills College and Coláiste de hÍde, both of which I chair, as well as St
MacDara's CC, until the end of this year when they are re-appointed by the ETB.
I will, of course, continue my work in education as a teacher and activist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have also decided not to contest for the
Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee for this Council term
following five years of involvement on this important committee. I proposed the
new Traveller Accommodation Plan as Mayor following a lot of work by that
committee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I do hope to continue my membership of the Dublin 12 Local Drugs
Task Force if I am re-elected onto it by the Council.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the Annual Meeting of the Council, I
was appointed a Chair of one of the new Strategic Policy Committees of the
Council. The new SPC Scheme is subject to changes but at present I will be
Chairing the new Social and Community Committee of the Council, dealing with
policies in areas such as sports, recreation, community grants, community
centres and social inclusion. I am very much looking forward to this work and
to working on the Corporate Policy Group of the new Council.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of you may have noticed that I have changed my Facebook
presence from a personal account to a “page” – please be sure to follow that at
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/VoteDermotLooney">www.facebook.com/VoteDermotLooney</a>
. I am continuing to tweet regularly at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/dlooney">www.twitter.com/dlooney</a>
.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am reviewing my Advice Centre commitments given the makeup of
the new local electoral area and will confirm those details in late August. For
now, please contact me by email should you wish to meet me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On a personal note, I am looking forward to a break over the
summer, to taking in more of the World Cup, and to seeing St Pat’s play in the
Champions’ League! The past few months in particular have been extremely busy,
so it will be good to take a couple of weeks off!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-69470634315962349982014-04-29T12:54:00.000+01:002014-04-29T12:54:05.682+01:00Looney launches local election campaign: “Some Independents are more for equality than others”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Cllr Dermot Looney, the current Mayor of South Dublin,
this week launched his election campaign as an Independent candidate in the
Templeogue-Terenure local electoral area. Looney launched his election slogan,
“Standing up for our Community,” at the launch in the Cherrytree, Walkinstown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Speaking at the event, Looney stated; “I am
campaigning on an unapologetically left wing platform of defending public
services and protecting the vulnerable. My record on the Council over the past
five years is of principled decisions and hard work. In my term as Mayor I have
prioritised services and funding for youth and sport, older persons and the
environment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">“In reality, this election campaign began just after
the 2009 local elections. I have been stuck in on the local issues for five
years, making sure to update residents with frequent leaflets, canvassing and
the most active social media engagement in the area. The reception in recent
weeks to our campaign has shown me that local people respect my ongoing work
and are in support of my decision to leave Labour and stand on a principled
Independent platform.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">“There is a great deal of anger and disappointment
towards both Government parties and Fianna Fáil. Based on national polling and,
more importantly, the reception on the doorsteps, I am hopeful that voters fed
up with these parties will turn to a strong independent candidate. It is worth
remembering that in this election, some independents are more for equality than
others. I am the sole left of centre Independent and hope to attract support
from across the local electoral area.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">“My hard work is illustrated by the fact that I have
put down 399 questions on notice and motions at local area committee level since
2009. This is more than twice the amount of any other Councillor, and is almost
as much as the five other Councillors running in this area put together.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">The new Templeogue-Terenure electoral area includes
parts of <st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city> 12 (Greenhills, Walkinstown,
Perrystown), <st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city> 6w (Templeogue, Terenure), <st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city> 14/16 (Ballyroan, Knocklyon) and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dublin</st1:place></st1:city> 24 (Firhouse, Ballycullen). 6 seats
will be decided for the area in the poll on May 23<sup>rd</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-61426998693764128582014-04-17T13:06:00.003+01:002014-04-17T13:06:29.917+01:00Campaign Launch - Welcome to the new-look site<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5h5_212K2bY/U0-1Ji-l0-I/AAAAAAAAAX0/U4ePQGskDnE/s1600/croppic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5h5_212K2bY/U0-1Ji-l0-I/AAAAAAAAAX0/U4ePQGskDnE/s1600/croppic.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Welcome to my new look website. I am relaunching the site as part of my local election campaign launch today. I am asking for your vote in the upcoming local elections on May 23rd. Please find more information on the "<a href="http://thelooneyleft.blogspot.ie/p/about-dermot.html">About Me</a>" page.<br />
<br />
If you read through the archive here, you'll find I was once an opinionated blogger - but that the frequency of posts has drastically diminished over time. Why? Simple. The move to social media. If you want to hear my latest news, or read my latest opinions, follow me on Twitter and Facebook. What I'm trying to do on this site is provide some more information than I can on social media - <a href="http://thelooneyleft.blogspot.ie/p/motions-and-questions.html">hence a page detailing over 500 motions and questions</a>.<br />
<br />
Let me know what you think!
DermotDermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-70653656510410082852014-03-31T19:48:00.001+01:002014-03-31T20:44:12.443+01:00Give Dubs their say on a Directly-Elected MayorI was honoured at today's Special Meeting of South Dublin County Council to propose the resolution on holding a plebiscite on a Directly-Elected Mayor for Dublin. And I was happy that, after a worthwhile debate, 19 Councillors voted in favour and just 3 against. You can read my speech at <a href="http://pastebin.com/Z7vaim4z">http://pastebin.com/Z7vaim4z</a> .<br />
<br />
I managed to catch the last few minutes of the meeting in Fingal on their webcast and caught up on the remainder on Twitter. It was regrettable that Councillors in Fingal in essence viewed themselves as gatekeepers to democracy and blocked the resolution to hold a plebiscite.<br />
<br />
The plebiscite vote was passed by 50-0 in Dublin City Council. 23 Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councillors voted unanimously tonight to put the vote to a plebiscite<br />
<br />
In total, 92 Dublin Cllrs voted in favour, and just 19 voted against.<br />
<br />
The quadruple lock of requiring all four Councils to pass this by an absolute majority was an invention of Minister Phil Hogan and his Government, who clearly have no appetite for giving Dubliners their say on this. It gave finality to a convoluted process in which Councillors were expected, without time nor budget nor staff resources, to formulate a structure, to consult publicly and to put forward detailed proposals on a directly-elected Mayor. The plans are not perfect but despite the protestations of some Councillors today they are quite detailed.<br />
<br />
Dubliners are rightly angry that they have been denied a vote by this convoluted invention.<br />
<br />
There is a straightforward way of proceeding which will give Dubliners the right to have their say and which will protect residents in Fingal and other authorities from a city centre focus.<br />
<br />
The Minister could call the plebiscite, requiring that it pass by a majority of voters in each local authority area.<br />
<br />
That would be democratic for Fingal, and democratic for Dublin.<br />
<br />
There is nothing stopping him - legal or otherwise.<br />
<br />
Will he and his Government have the guts to put it to the people? I doubt it.<br />
<br />
<b><i>This blogpost was edited to take into account the result of tonight's vote in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.</i></b>Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-4076667606882548812014-03-19T14:22:00.000+00:002014-03-19T14:22:12.280+00:00Looney publishes expenses and remuneration for 2013<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial;">Independent Cllr Dermot
Looney, a candidate in the Templeogue-Terenure electoral area in the upcoming
local elections, has welcomed the imminent publication of Councillor expenses
for the County for 2013. In 2011, Looney won a long campaign to secure the
publication of all Cllr expenses. The publication of the “S142 Register” giving
these details is due on the Council website in the coming days.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial;">“I
am again happy that this important information is being made accessible to the
public,” noted Looney. “Following my election in 2009, I campaigned to have
this information made readily available online in the interests of transparency and accountability. As well as releasing a full
list of my Council pay and expenses since 2009, I am also the only Councillor to
publish my expenses as a member of the ETB (formerly the VEC) and four of its
subcommittees.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“My election as Mayor
half-way through 2013 means that I have taken leave from my job as a teacher
and taken a full-time wage from the Council. My first decision as Mayor was to
cut my pay by €7,000 - €3,500 of the Mayoral Allowance for 2013 went into the
Mayor’s Fund for community groups, and a further €3,500 has been cut for 2014.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“In nearly five years
on the Council I have refused to attend ‘conferences’ at home or abroad.
Instead, over €20,000 foregone by me has gone to providing homeless
accommodation, assisting Council tenants in need of window and door
replacement, and funding mobility grants for the elderly and those who are
disabled.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial;">“It is disappointing
that almost €122,000 has been spent on these ‘conferences’ over the last five years,
mainly by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Councillors. If I am re-elected in May, I
will continue my pledge not to claim money for ‘conferences’ and to continue to
oppose the junket culture.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial;">Cllr Dermot Looney –
Remuneration and Expenses 2013</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial;">2013:
Representational Payment €16,657.72; Mayor Allowance €17,900.02 (includes
deduction for Mayor’s Fund) – total salary €34,557.74<br />
Expenses €6,486.87; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone, Broadband
and Mayor Travel €4,727.14; VEC/ETB Expenses €1,053.82 (covered 2012-13); Other
Expenses €0. Total Expenses: €12,267.83<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span lang="EN-IE">Cllr Dermot Looney –
Remuneration and Expenses 2009-2011</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-IE">2009
(June-Dec): Representational Payment €9,731.10<br />
Expenses €3,587.47; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone &
Broadband €300; VEC Expenses €283.64; Other Expenses €0. Total Expenses:
€4171.11</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-IE">2010:
Representational Payment €16,797.26;<br />
Expenses €6,306.65; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone &
Broadband €829.35; VEC Expenses €810.40; Other Expenses €0. Total Expenses:
€7,946.40</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-IE">2011:
Representational Payment €16,723.92;<br />
Expenses €6,486.87; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone & Broadband
€985.72; VEC Expenses €769.88; Other Expenses €0. Total Expenses: €8,242,47<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial;">2012: Representational
Payment €16,723.92;<br />
Expenses €6,486.87; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone &
Broadband €650.62; VEC Expenses €567.28; Other Expenses €0. Total Expenses:
€7,704.77</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial;">Notes:<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
</span><b><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial;">The “Representational
Payment” is, in essence, a Councillor’s ‘salary;’ it is fixed at one-quarter of
a Senator’s salary and is dependent on attendance at meetings. As it is subject
to PAYE, PRSI, USC and other deductions. I receive approximately €8,000 per
annum nett. The Mayoral Allowance in 2013 was paid in the six months from
July-December. It is also subject to these deductions.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial;">The main “expenses”
figure – formerly the “annual allowance” refers to travel, subsistence and
other expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of a Cllr. “Phone and
Broadband” refers to the payments made for mobile phone and broadband usage. A travel
allowance is provided to the Mayor in lieu of a car. “VEC expenses” are €40.52
for every meeting of the VEC or its Subcommittees that incurs more than 3 hours
work. Expenses do not apply to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Community</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> boards or meetings
which take less than 3 hours.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br />
<br />
<b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Full details of attendance
and expenses for all SDCC Cllrs are available at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.sdcc.ie/the-council/council-meetings/s142-register" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6131bd;">http://www.sdcc.ie/the-<wbr></wbr>council/council-meetings/s142-<wbr></wbr>register</span></a></span></b></span></span><b><span lang="EN-IE" style="background-color: #f6f6f6; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-58176474017898038992014-01-29T14:53:00.001+00:002014-01-29T14:53:03.587+00:00Looney appeals to Archbishop - defer plans to merge Greenhills schools to consult parents, staff and community<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Cllr Dermot Looney, Mayor of South Dublin County Council and the only
public representative based in the Greenhills area, has called on the
Archbishop of Dublin to defer plans to merge three local primary schools, and
to take more time to consult with parents, staff and the wider community.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Principals in St Peter’s Boys NS, St Paul’s Junior Girls NS and St
Paul’s Senior Girls NS were informed by phone last Friday that the Archdiocese
would be closing all three schools and reopening two new schools on the site of
St Paul’s this coming September. Parents were informed of this on Monday and there
has been considerable anxiety with regard to the speed of the proposed changes
and the lack of consultation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Cllr Looney, a past pupil of St Peter’s, in which he also trained to be a teacher, stated that he and his family have a long involvement in the schools. “</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">My three brothers and two sisters
also attended St Peter’s and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St Paul</st1:place></st1:city>’s,
while my mother served on both Boards of Management and Parents’ Associations
in the schools. I chair the Board of Management of Greenhills College, to where
many of the boys from St Peter’s move. As a teacher myself, as well as a local
resident, I am deeply familiar with the issues faced by the schools in terms of
demographic shifts, changes in parental choice and relationships with other
schools locally.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“No-one who
is aware of the history and current status of primary education in the
Greenhills area will be particularly surprised with proposals to merge the
schools. I am a supporter of co-education and would welcome the long-term
security given to children and their parents in Greenhills from a combined
approach.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“However,
having spoken with staff and parents from all three schools, I am deeply
concerned with the nature of the announcement and with the intention to proceed
with a merger in a few months time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -72.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“I have
been informed that parents and staff have had no say in the nature of the
amalgamation and were informed by phone call last Friday that the Archdiocese
intends pressing ahead with the new schools this September. This runs counter
to the inclusive approach which is championed in all three schools and has
resulted in significant anger locally. People in Greenhills and nearby areas
have a long and proud history with these three schools and such a rushed
approach would be disrespectful to the community as a whole.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“There are
a variety of crucial issues on which parents and staff – and in some cases the
community at large - should have their say; whether the new school/s are
vertical or split into junior and senior, issues of accommodation such as
classrooms and toilets, the future of the St Peter’s site, the names of the new
school/s, the formation of Boards of Management, etc.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -72.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“In the
circumstances, I believe it would be prudent to delay the proposed changes
until the beginning of the 2015-16 academic year, giving the relevant Boards of
Management and the Archdiocese itself the time and space to engage in genuine,
binding consultation and planning with parents, staff and the wider community.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cllr Looney
has written to the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, to the Director of
the Diocesan Education Secretariat, Anne McDonagh, and to Minister for
Education Ruairi Quinn to call for the deferral of the amalgamation plans.</span></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-77003811177184060582014-01-07T20:45:00.000+00:002014-01-07T20:45:08.559+00:00Statement from Cllr Dermot Looney<div class="MsoNormal">
I am announcing today my decision to leave the Labour Party
with immediate effect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On a personal level, this has been a difficult decision. I
have been an active member of the party for most of my adult life and given more
than ten years service as an activist, officer and, most recently, public
representative. In that time I recruited and worked closely with a large number
of new members, some of whom have left the party, and others of whom I will
leave behind. I have worked in a progressive Labour group on South Dublin
County Council and have enjoyed campaigning with many decent activists and
representatives over the years. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, on a political level, it has been clear to me for
some time that the Labour Party is no longer for me, nor am I for the Labour
Party. Over the last ten years I have done my best to advocate for policies and
ideas rooted in the values of the left which brought me into politics. Over the
last three, I have been dismayed at the failure of Labour in Government to advance
these values and ideas, and am equally concerned at the long-term outlook for
these politics in the party.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is no one individual policy on which I am making a
stand; there have been dozens over the lifetime of the Government with which I
fundamentally disagree. Labour has kowtowed to Fine Gael’s economic agenda,
presided over cuts across the public sector which worst affect those who are
vulnerable, and implemented a series of demonstrably regressive budgets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have spoken with many local people who voted for me in
2009, or for Labour in the general election, who feel utterly sickened by
Labour’s implementation of the austerity agenda. Their views match my own. I stand diametrically opposed to government
policy – and by extension that of the Labour Party – in areas as diverse as
healthcare, local democracy, housing, state assets and taxation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that Labour has abandoned even the most basic of
social democratic concerns in Government, and my decision to leave is based as
much on the direction in which the party is headed as on its record in
Government. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I and others have argued for a change in direction, it
is clear these arguments – even when made successfully via structures such as
party conference – have had little effect. In my experience, Labour is
controlled in effect by a democratic centralism which ensures power in the
party is concentrated in the hands of a small few.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One can only rail against the inevitable for so long; in my
own case, I have no distance left to run in the Party. Instead, I will be
looking to continue a track record as a principled and hard-working Councillor by
seeking election in May as an independent candidate in the
“Templeogue-Terenure” Local Electoral Area. I will not be joining any other
parties or groupings but hope in the future to play a constructive role in
working with others on the left at local and national level. </div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-52822504741493745662013-12-16T18:29:00.004+00:002013-12-16T18:29:57.686+00:0050 community groups to benefit from Mayor's paycut<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Following my election Mayor in late June, one of the first decisions I made was to take a paycut and to divert that money instead into a fund for community groups. My colleague, Deputy Mayor Eamon Tuffy, joined me in this and together we launched the "Mayors Fund" back in September. In total, we have allocated €10,000 for this fund. The fund was to be administered by the Community Department in South Dublin County Council and was aimed towards the three priorities I have outlined for my term as Mayor - youth and sport, older persons and the environment.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">We expected to be able to make grants of up to €500 when we launched the fund, as we expected that 20 or 30 groups would apply. Instead, we have been overwhelmed with the level of applications which arrived in. In total, almost 75 separate applications were made to the fund. In consultation with the Community Department, myself and the Deputy Mayor have decided to make grants of €200 to 50 groups to ensure that as many groups as possible were helped out with a small, but significant amount of money. The groups come from all five electoral areas in South Dublin County and are across the three priorities listed above.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Thanks to all who have helped in setting up the Mayors Fund and in spreading the word. Congratulations to the 50 groups who will receive cheques worth €200 in the New Year. Commiserations to the groups who did not receive funding this time - we are writing to these groups to advise of alternative funding sources. In no particular order, the successful groups are;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">1 Youth Horizons</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">2 Perrystown Manor Estate Active Retirement (based in </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=126782084096859&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perrystown-Community-Centre/126782084096859" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Perrystown Community Centre</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">3 Tallaght Mens Shed</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">4 Kingswood Kilnamanagh Active Age Club Men</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">5 Bawnogue Youth & Community Centre</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">6 Sruleen Community Development Association</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">7 St. Aengus Active Retirement</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">8 Boden Park Residents Association</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">9 Brookfield Environmental Group</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">10 </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=175165172639377&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/65thGreenhillsScoutGroupCelebrating40Years" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">65th Greenhills Scout Group, Celebrating 40 Years</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">11 Retired Active Mens Shed (RAMS)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">12 </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=120308924743120&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/DominicsCommunityCentre" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Dominics Community Centre</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">13 Dodder Park Residents Association</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">14 Whitecastle Girl Guides</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">15 St. Kevins Family Resource Centre</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">16 </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=198243260210930&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cherryfield-Residents-Association/198243260210930" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Cherryfield Residents Association</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">17 Willbrook & Willbrook Downs Res Associ</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">18 Greenhills Boys </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100002003871829&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/greenhills.afc" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Greenhills Afc</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">19 Old County Pitch & Putt Club</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">20 Tallaght Festival Band</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">21 Mojo Mens Shed</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">22 Brittas Community Association</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">23 Limekiln Temple Manor Community Games </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100002255585584&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/limekiln.communitygames" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Limekiln Communitygames</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">24 Greenhills School Completion Programme</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">25 Holy Rosary Primary School</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">26 Ballyboden Family Resource Centre</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">27 Lucan Community College (Coderdojo)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">28 </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=602024746520578&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/citywise" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Citywise Education</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">29 Swan FSO</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">30 Clondalkin Shotokan Academy</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">31 </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=1408241372728298&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perrystown-Performers-Society/1408241372728298" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Perrystown Performers Society</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">32 Key Project</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">33 Bawnogue Unemployed Group Ltd.,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">34 CARP- Killinarden</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">35 St. Peters BNS</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">36 Greenhills College Basketball Club (</span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000081506145&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/greenhills.colleage" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Greenhills Colleage</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">37 The Web Project</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">38 Gaelscoil Na Camoige</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">39 North Clondalkin CDP</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">40 Quarryvale Community & Leisure Centre</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">41 The Stay Project</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">42 The Four District Day Care Company</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">43 St Andrew’s Centre for Senior Citizens</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">44 CAP Allotments Project</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">45 Clondalkin Equine Club</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">46 </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100004073438835&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/trustus.wecare" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Trustus We Care</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">47 Greenhills Ladies Club (based in </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=443090662417235&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenhills-Community-Centre/443090662417235" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Greenhills Community Centre</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">48 Finnstown Abbey Residents Association</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">49 Active Age Group, St Jude’s</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">50 </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=224694890906609&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Manortown-United-FC/224694890906609" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Manortown United F.C</a>Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-65072969564377186602013-10-01T19:16:00.004+01:002013-10-01T19:16:57.294+01:00A Directly-Elected Mayor for Dublin? Have Your Say!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.tumblr.com/dc2965c5388204ada1a5d930fba6eded/sbeuj6w/mxImt6ajc/tumblr_static_dembanner-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://static.tumblr.com/dc2965c5388204ada1a5d930fba6eded/sbeuj6w/mxImt6ajc/tumblr_static_dembanner-a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Next May, as well as voting in local and European elections, voters across Dublin are set to be faced with another ballot paper, asking if they want a directly-elected Mayor for Dublin or not.<br />
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Directly-elected Mayors exist across Europe and in other political systems, but not in Ireland. Dublin currently has four people fulfilling Mayoral roles; the Lord Mayor of Dublin City, myself as Mayor of South Dublin, the Mayor of Fingal, and the Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. All of us were elected by the Councillors on each of our Councils, but the vote next May will ask Dubliners if they would like a straight vote to elect a Mayor for all of Dublin.<br />
<br />
I am working with the other Mayors and Councillors from across Dublin, including our own County Council, to come up with a proposal for Dubliners to vote on next May. While nothing is set in stone, some elements of the new proposals have broad agreement:<br />
<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The new Mayor would serve for a 5 year term;<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The new Mayor would represent all of Dublin, county and city;<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The existing 4 local authorities (the City Council and three County Councils) would be retained.<br />
<br />
There are a number of key issues, though, on which we are looking for comments and advice from Dubliners, including:<br />
<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What powers would the new Mayor have?<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To whom would the Mayor be answerable/accountable?<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Would the Mayor be able to appoint her/his own “Cabinet?”<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What would happen to the existing offices of Mayor/Lord Mayor/Cathaoirleach?<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How would all this be funded?<br />
<br />
It is vital that people in South Dublin and across the Dublin region have their say during the public consultation phase which lasts until October 12th. Let us know the kind of directly-elected Mayor you would like to see, or if you don’t wish to see one at all. Anyone interested can take a survey or make a written submission online, as well as finding out more information on the process, at <a href="http://www.mayor4dublin.ie/">www.mayor4dublin.ie</a>. Hard copies of this are also available in County Hall, Tallaght and in Council libraries and facilities across South Dublin.<br />
<br />
I will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting on the issue of a Directly-Elected Mayor next Wednesday, October 9th from 7.15pm-9pm in County Hall, Tallaght for members of the public to find out more and have their say. I look forward to seeing you there.Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-5604953152174454742013-09-11T00:02:00.000+01:002013-09-11T00:02:05.470+01:00Press Release: Looney calls for Yes vote to “Scrap the Seanad”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cllr Dermot Looney, Mayor of South Dublin County
Council, has called on local people to vote “Yes” in the referendum on October
4</span><sup style="font-family: Arial;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> to abolish Seanad Éireann. The Greenhills-based Labour
Councillor stated that he would be campaigning for a yes vote in the new
Templeogue-Terenure Local Electoral Area, which includes parts of </span><st1:place style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> 12 and 6w as well
as areas in Rathfarnham, Firhouse and Knocklyon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“The Seanad is an irrelevant, undemocratic
institution which copperfastens elitism in political representation,” stated
Looney. “All three systems of selection into it are an aberration; Taoiseach’s
patronage, election by politicians on </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">mar
dhea</i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> vocational panels, and elitist votes from particular universities.
Almost 97% of the citizens in this Republic have no say whatsoever in electing it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“With few exceptions, Senators who do manage to get the
nod rarely make an impact on the political process. In 75 years the Seanad has
only ever rejected two bills, the last by mistake some 50 years ago. Instead of
having a serious influence on and input into legislation, the Seanad is instead
used by political parties as something between a halfway house for ex- and
aspiring TD’s, and a retirement home for others.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Over the last four years I have campaigned against
the frivolous waste of public money by Senators who send Christmas cards and
gifts. That culture has continued right up to this week, with one Fianna Fáil
Senator using public funds to advertise the opening of his new bar. ”</span><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“Since its establishment
there have been a dozen separate reports written on reforming the Seanad. All
of these are now gathering dust on shelves in Leinster House. Now, in response
to this referendum, we have seen the emergence of yet further campaigns to
retain the Seanad and reform it. Various competing proposals have been made.
They range from the unworkable to the fanciful. Former Minister Michael McDowell
has proposed that no salary be paid to Senators at all; all well and good for a
Senior Counsel, but how is an ordinary worker or unemployed person in our
community to be able to hold office?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“The reality is that there
is nothing approaching consensus on what kind of reforms might be brought in,
nor any appetite to do so. We can all envisage and propose improvements on the Seanad
of today. But this isn’t a political version of Fantasy Football in which we
get to try out our favourite formation. There is no evidence that reform will
happen. What hope have current proposals of being enacted when the vote by the
citizens of Ireland in 1979 to extend the University panel franchise to all
third level graduates – before I was even born - has never been legislated for?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“It is no secret that I am
a critic of the Government and am deeply concerned with the concentration of
power in the hands of a small number of individuals, including those who are
outside the democratic process. But arguments that keeping the Seanad will
preserve or even enhance democracy are misguided. Instead, we should adopt a
unicameral system with a radically reformed Dáil and a stronger role for local
government, along with other democratic reforms in communities, places of work
and institutions. To that end, Government should advance serious Dáil reforms
and changes to upcoming local government legislation in advance of the Seanad
referendum.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“It is galling indeed to
see local lampposts festooned with Fianna Fáil aspirants using the Seanad
campaign for self-promotion; this from a party who have been in Government for
the majority of the last 75 years, doing nothing at all to reform the rotten
Seanad. This is an opportunistic flip-flop by Fianna Fáil who supported
abolition as recently as two years ago, but nothing more than we have come to
expect from their cynical politics.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“In the ten years I have been involved in politics, I
have argued in articles and speeches for the abolition of the Seanad, making a
significant contribution at the 2010 Labour Conference in calling for its
abolition. In that decade I have heard all sorts of fanciful notions of ‘Seanad
reform’ ranging from the bizarre to the unworkable. It is time to consign this
undemocratic charade to the dustbin of history and work for real and genuine democratic
reforms.”</span></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-51937904880592138112013-04-05T00:53:00.001+01:002013-04-05T00:53:24.345+01:00Press Release - Looney: Housing Adaptation Grants Cuts “a Let Down by Labour in Govt”<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Cllr Dermot Looney, a Labour Cllr on South Dublin
County Council (SDCC), has stated that swingeing cuts to grants for older and
disabled people to adapt their homes are “inexcusable” and “another let down by
Labour in Government.” Looney’s comments come as South Dublin County Council’s
grant funding for adaptation schemes is cut by more than half for 2013.</span><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Three separate grants are administered by SDCC for
housing adaptation. The Housing Adaptation Scheme for People With a Disability
is a grant for making homes more suitable for people who are disabled, up to a
maximum of €30,000. The Mobility Aids Grants Scheme is usually for people
requiring home adaptation due to mobility issues brought on by ageing, such as
a downstairs bathroom or stairlift, up to a maximum of €6,000. The Housing Aid
for Older People Scheme is for necessary works such as re-wiring and re-roofing
up to a maximum of €10,500.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">All three schemes are dependent on means testing and
estimates from three contractors, while two of the schemes also require
occupational therapist reports. Almost 250 homes in the Tallaght area alone
have benefited from these schemes in the past two years.</span><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Grant funding from the Department of Environment,
Community and Local Government to SDCC for the schemes was reduced from €3.08
million in 2011, to €2.73 million in 2012, and to just €1.21 million for this
year. To date, almost €435,000 of the €1.21 million has already been paid out
this year, with many in-progress works yet to be funded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In response to Looney’s motion on the matter at a
recent Area Committee meeting, Council officials confirmed that almost €2
million was allocated from the funds for last year and that the current funding
is unlikely to meet the demand. Looney is also due to raise the matter at next
Monday’s full Council meeting and has written to Housing Minister Jan
O’Sullivan to ask her to revisit the cuts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I have been delighted to assist many older and
disabled people in informing them about and assisting them with applications to
these important schemes,” noted Looney. “South Dublin County Council has had a
strong record of ensuring grant aid for all applicants who meet the strict
criteria during my time on the Council. This inexcusable cut, which cuts the
scheme by almost 2/3 since 2011, is likely to mean that older residents and
those who are disabled will be unable to avail of necessary housing adaptations
to allow them live with independence and dignity. It is also bad news for local
tradespeople who rely on schemes such as these to make a living in these
precarious times.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I would urge all those who are interested in
applying for the scheme to do so immediately as grant funding may run out on
the basis of these cuts.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“The Labour Party entered government stating that
they would protect vulnerable people. This has been another let down from
Labour in Government. There are options beyond the austerity agenda which can
protect our vulnerable citizens and protect employment. With this in mind, I
have written to Minister O’Sullivan to ask her to revisit these cuts.”</span></div>
<br /><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">---------------------</span><br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="replymain">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">County Council Meeting Headed Item
based on my motion below (updated figures have since been provided)</span></b></div>
<div class="replymain">
<br /></div>
<div class="replymain">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">MEETING OF
SOUTH DUBLIN
COUNTY COUNCIL</span></div>
<div class="replymain">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Monday,
April 08, 2013</span></div>
<div class="replymain">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">HEADED ITEM
NO. 2c)</span></div>
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">REPORT OF TALLAGHT
AREA COMMITTEE MEETING (1) & (2) - Monday, 25<sup>th</sup> March,
2013</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Motion No: M
(10) <span class="underline">CUTS BY THE DECLG TO THE HOUSING ADAPTION
GRANTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">The following motion was
considered at the Tallaght Area Committee held on 25th March 2013:-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">It was proposed by
Councillor D. Looney, seconded by Councillor C. King:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“That this Committee notes
with serious concern the announcement by the Department of Environment,
Community and Local Government of substantial cuts to housing adaptation grants
for older people and those who are disabled; that a report be provided on the
uptake of these grants by those in this area in 2011 and 2012; that a
preliminary report be issued on how these cuts will affect grants in the area
under the remit of this committee for 2013; and that a full report on the
impact of these proposed cuts be made to the April Council meeting.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">The following report by the
Manager which had been circulated was READ:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">“The Council operates
three Housing Grant Schemes for older people and those who are disabled as
follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">·
The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for People with a Disability </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">·
The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">·
The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">These grants are available
in respect of owner occupied dwellings and certain rented dwellings (subject to
written permission being provided by the Landlord).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Grants may be awarded under
these schemes by South Dublin County Council to qualified applicants subject to
the criteria set out in the regulations and associated guidance documents
issued by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
(DoECLG).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Budgets for these grants
are not allocated on an electoral area basis. However
detail as requested in respect of the electoral areas of Tallaght Central
and South for the combined schemes for years 2011 and 2012 is set out in the
following table, as well as an outline of the expenditure on these schemes a
county-wide basis:</span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Year
</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">No
of Applications received from Tallaght Central and South EA</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">€
paid</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">€
County Wide</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">2011</span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">117</span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">591,597</span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">1,626,985</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">2012</span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">129</span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">825,906</span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">1,952,819</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">South Dublin County Council
recently received notification of the Department of Environment, Community and
Local Government 2013 approved allocation for these grants in the sum
of €1,213,986.05. This reflects a 40% reduction (nationally)
over the 2012 spend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">In correspondence received
from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government it was
advised that due to the finite resources which are currently
available, local authorities should ensure that funds are targeted at essential
works only and that an effective and easy to understand scheme of
prioritisation be put in place to ensure that applications are prioritised
on the basis of the medical needs of the applicant. The three levels of medical
priority advised to this Council are as follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">1. <em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Priority 1</span></em>: Terminally ill or
mainly dependent on family or a carer, or where alterations/adaptations would
facilitate the discharge from hospital or alleviate hospitalisation in the
future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">2. <em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Priority 2</span></em>: Mobile, but needs assistance in accessing
facilities, or where, without the adaptation the disabled persons’ ability to
function independently would be hindered. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">3. <em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Priorty 3</span></em>: The applicant is independent,
but requires special facilities to improve their quality of life, e.g. separate
bedroom or living space. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"> To date grants to a
total value of €356,343 over the 3 schemes have been paid out countywide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">As already outlined
budgets for the various grant schemes are not allocated on an electoral
basis. Accordingly at this point it is premature to state how this
reduced allocation will affect grants in the area under the remit of this
committee for 2013.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">The motion was PASSED</span><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-70196059437540410482013-04-03T23:32:00.000+01:002013-04-04T00:02:40.394+01:00Press Release - Looney Publishes Latest Expenses<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cllr Dermot Looney, a Labour Councillor on
South Dublin County Council (SDCC), has welcomed the publication of Councillor
expenses for the County for 2012. Looney last year won a long campaign to
secure the publication of all Cllr expenses and has welcomed the most recent
figures for 2012. Looney's own expenses are amongst the lowest in the County for the fourth year in succession.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“I am again
delighted that this important information has been made accessible to the
public,” noted Looney. “Following my election in 2009, I campaigned to have
this information made readily available online. The Council published
the 2012 figures two weeks ago. They again show me to be one of
the most prolific attendees at Council meetings and lowest expense claimants on
the Council. Alon with </span><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">my Labour colleagues and some other Cllrs I refuse, for
example, to claim any expenses for Conferences at home or abroad."</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"In the
interests of accountability and transparency, I am again releasing a full list
of my own remuneration and expenses, including all non-Council related
expenses, since 2009. This list shows that I am, consistently, one of the
lowest-claiming Cllrs on SDCC. As a member of County Dublin VEC and four of its
subcommittees, I am entitled to claim a small expense for meetings lasting more
than three hours. I have also included those details below.”</span><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cllr Dermot Looney –
Remuneration and Expenses 2012</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">2012: Representational Payment €16,723.92;<br />
Expenses €6,486.87; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone &
Broadband €650.62; VEC Expenses €567.28; Other Expenses €0. Total Expenses:
€7,704.77</span><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Cllr Dermot Looney –
Remuneration and Expenses 2009-2011</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">2009 (June-Dec): Representational Payment €9,731.10;<br />
Annual Allowance €3,587.47; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone
& Broadband €300; VEC Expenses €283.64; Other Expenses €0. Total Expenses:
€4171.11</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">2010: Representational Payment €16,797.26;<br />
Annual Allowance €6,306.65; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone
& Broadband €829.35; VEC Expenses €810.40; Other Expenses €0. Total
Expenses: €7,946.40</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">2011: Representational Payment €16,723.92;<br />
Expenses €6,486.87; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone &
Broadband €985.72; VEC Expenses €769.88; Other Expenses €0. Total Expenses:
€8,242,47</span><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Notes:<br /> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The “Representational Payment” is, in essence, a Councillor’s ‘salary;’ it is
fixed at one-quarter of a Senator’s salary and is dependent on attendance at
meetings. As it is subject to PAYE, PRSI, USC and other deductions, I receive
approximately €8,000 per annum nett.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“Annual Allowance”
refers to travel, subsistence and other expenses incurred in carrying out the
duties of a Cllr. “Phone and Broadband” refers to the payments made for mobile
phone and broadband usage. “VEC expenses” are €40.52 for every meeting of the
VEC or its Subcommittees that incurs more than 3 hours work. Expenses do not
apply to Community
School boards or meetings
which take less than 3 hours.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>Full details of attendance and expenses for all SDCC Cllrs are available at <a href="http://www.sdcc.ie/the-council/council-meetings/s142-register" target="_blank">http://www.sdcc.ie/the-<wbr></wbr>council/council-meetings/s142-<wbr></wbr>register</a></b>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-19099557542114244222013-01-13T21:22:00.002+00:002013-01-13T21:23:48.551+00:00Press Release: Area Chair Looney Calls for Submissions to Boundary Review Committee <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-weight: normal;">Tallaght Area Chair Councillor Dermot Looney (Labour) has called
for residents living in the Dublin
6w, 12 and 24 areas to consider making submissions to the Local Electoral Area
Boundary Committee. The Committee was established by the Minister for the
Environment last year, and is due to recommend a series of new electoral areas
for the next Council elections in 2014.</span>
</span></span><br />
<h5>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-weight: normal;">In calling for local citizens to
consider making submissions, Looney has noted that, to date, no submissions
have been made regarding the South
Dublin County
area. There are currently </span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-weight: normal;">five
LEA's on the Council; Tallaght Central (6 members), Tallaght South (5 members),
Clondalkin (6 members), Lucan (5 members) and Rathfarnham (4 members).
Substantial changes to all are expected, with their possible expansion in terms
of seats, or the creation of new electoral areas. </span></span></span></span></h5>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-IE">“The Action Plan announced by the Minister last year
detailed very significant changes to how we elect local councillors,” stated
Looney. “One expected change is the increase in Cllrs on South Dublin County
Council from 26 to 40. Another is the abolition of current four- and five-seat
areas. New electoral areas will have between six and ten seats, with the
Minister recommending seven as a typical number.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-IE">“There will be very substantial changes to how we
elect Councillors in our area, and I am calling on residents to have their say.
Residents can make a submission by post or email. Details are online at <a href="http://www.boundarycommittee.ie/">www.boundarycommittee.ie</a>.
Submissions must be made by Friday, January 25<sup>th</sup>.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-IE">“I am currently drafting my own submission in to
reflect my own feedback from voters, for example in ensuring that areas within Dublin 12 remain
contiguous, that communities in Tallaght are not split unnecessarily, and that
more thought is given to electoral area names.” </span></span></span></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-27001661651349469302012-12-18T01:10:00.001+00:002012-12-18T01:11:17.417+00:00Press Release - Looney Welcomes Passage of Council Budget <span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Labour Party Councillor Dermot Looney (Tallaght
Central) has welcomed the passage of the 2013 South Dublin County Council
Budget, stating that the Budget “seeks to protect frontline services and
develop South Dublin as a good place to live
and work.” The Council’s Budget was passed at a meeting on Monday, December 17<sup>th</sup>
with the support of Labour, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael Councillors, along with two
Independents. Looney has also criticised Fianna Fáil, who voted and spoke
against the Budget without offering any alternative proposals.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Today’s Budget seeks to protect frontline Council
services such as Housing, Roads, Parks and Environmental Services, despite a
substantial drop in income from central government and other sources. We have
also managed to increase funding to the Council’s award-winning Library
Services,” stated Looney. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Members of the Labour/Sinn Féin/Independent
Alliance on the Council have again foregone tens of thousands of euro in
Conference Expenses, following through on a 2009 pledge not to claim any money
for Conferences at home or abroad. This money has been diverted into a Window
Replacement Fund, increased to approximately €1 million, and targeted at local
authority tenants. Councillors also froze rates for businesses in the County,
after three separate rates cuts of accumulating to 5.3% since 2009. Important
supports for vulnerable people were also protected, such as housing grants for
the elderly and those who are disabled."</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Fianna Fáil opposed the Council Budget without
offering a single alternative. At the meeting, I called on them to present
alternative ideas, but, as has happened before, they could not be bothered.
They subsequently complained about burial ground charge increases; despite
knowing about these increases for more than a year they offered no alternatives
on the day or in advance. It is hard to take them seriously on the issue. Last
year, members of the Labour/Sinn Féin/Independent Alliance managed to offset
some of the increases by diverting money set aside for Councillor Conferences
to the burial grounds. Fianna Fáil Cllrs used those same funds to travel to
hotels around the country attending Conferences.” </span></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-73402524256685485502012-10-31T17:42:00.002+00:002012-10-31T17:42:56.519+00:00Press Release: Looney and IT Tallaght Labour Welcome Bus Shelter After 3-Year Long Campaign <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tallaght Central Labour Cllr Dermot Looney and the
IT Tallaght Labour Youth Branch have welcomed the construction of a bus shelter
outside the college following a campaign which has lasted almost three years.
Looney launched a campaign with the college branch at the beginning of 2010 to
highlight the concerns of the hundreds of students and staff of IT Tallaght who
use the bus stop on the Old
Blessington Road on a daily basis.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The campaign included a petition with 1,100
signatures from IT Tallaght students, motions to South Dublin County Council,
social media platforms and other methods to convince Dublin Bus of the need to
install the shelter at the stop. Following pressure from the campaign, Dublin
Bus confirmed they would inspect the site in March 2011 and agreed in November
2011 to seek planning permission. This planning permission was agreed in the
summer of 2012 and the construction of the shelter occurred during the last
week. The shelter has already been well used by students and staff of the
college, as well as others who live and work in the area, given the inclement
weather.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I am delighted to welcome the installation of this
much-needed bus shelter,” noted Cllr Dermot Looney, “the delivery of which was
achieved after almost three years of campaigning. I want to congratulate my
colleagues in the IT Tallaght Labour Youth branch for their work in helping to
win this campaign. I also want to thank Dublin Bus for recognising the demands
of students and other bus users in installing this shelter, and South Dublin
County Council for assisting the application process.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I also want to pay tribute to IT Tallaght Students’
Union, who supported the campaign, to the hundreds of staff and students who
signed the petition, the dozens to signed up to our Facebook page, and to the
other public representatives in the area who supported my motions.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Adam Fulham, Chair of IT Tallaght Labour Youth,
said; “Our campaign started in early 2010 when we began to collect signatures
for a petition we sent to Dublin Bus. By the end of 2010, 1,100 people had
signed the petition for the shelter. More than 300 people signed up to our
Facebook group and we won support from Cllrs and TD’s through the work of Cllr
Dermot Looney. This is a great example where people power has won out for the
students of our college.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span> </div>
<i><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"></span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Below:
Picture of Cllr Dermot Looney and Adam Fulham at the Bus Shelter outside IT Tallaght,
with some of the petitions signed by IT Tallaght students and staff.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOGhAW24ELw/UJFjDa6g-EI/AAAAAAAAANk/UEQXYl5PX-U/s1600/photo(36).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOGhAW24ELw/UJFjDa6g-EI/AAAAAAAAANk/UEQXYl5PX-U/s640/photo(36).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><br /></span></i></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-69924889835079991592012-10-30T16:33:00.002+00:002012-10-30T16:33:33.814+00:00Looney Calls on Local Football Fans to “Support the Saints” this Sunday <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.stpatsfc.com/images/fai_cup_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="http://www.stpatsfc.com/images/fai_cup_final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Local Councillor Dermot Looney has called on local
football fans to get behind St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup Final this Sunday,
November 4<sup>th</sup>. Looney, a lifelong Saints fan, is encouraging lapsed
Pat’s fans, neutrals and those with only a passing interest to avail of the
cheap admission to the Aviva and support St Pat’s, who will take on Derry City
in the final.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“At only €10 for adults and €5 for kids, this is a
wonderful opportunity for all football fans to attend the Aviva at a fraction
of the cost of a standard international ticket. A bumper atmosphere is
guaranteed and with St Pat’s looking to secure their first Cup win in 51 years,
it could be a truly historic match.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“There are plenty of ‘lapsed Saints’ in our local
area – those who might have attended Pat’s games over the years – who can bring
great support to the Aviva on Sunday. Likewise, it will be a great family day
out for neutrals, and for fans of other clubs. Even Shamrock Rovers fans will
be cheering for St Pat’s on the day – no doubt behind gritted teeth – given
that a Saints win is their only path into European football!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“A recent report issued by the UK’s tourism agency stated that almost 200,000
Irish people travelled to Britain
last year to watch English Premier League matches, spending almost €100
million. If one-tenth of those people spent a fraction of that money supporting
their local football club, it would transform League of Ireland clubs. This is
the ideal opportunity to catch an Irish football match before the winter break.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tickets are available via the St Patrick’s Athletic
offices at 125 Emmet Rd,
Inchicore and on the day at the Aviva Stadium.</span></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-72809549899005073882012-10-30T14:01:00.004+00:002012-10-30T14:01:59.656+00:00O’Sullivan and Looney Call for Upgrade to Walkinstown Post Office<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBlq3lAgi-o/UI_dvcuPyvI/AAAAAAAAANU/L-qdjFicQ0M/s1600/DSCF0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBlq3lAgi-o/UI_dvcuPyvI/AAAAAAAAANU/L-qdjFicQ0M/s400/DSCF0618.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Two Dublin 12 Labour Councillors in neighbouring
local authorities have joined together to call for an upgrade to a local Post
Office service on the border of the City and County Council. South Dublin
County Councillor Dermot Looney has joined with his Dublin City Council
colleague Michael O’Sullivan to campaign for an upgrade to postal services in
Walkinstown.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Walkinstown Post Office is located in a small,
old building on Bunting Road
which the two Councillors have said is “not fit for purpose.” O’Sullivan and
Looney have called on An Post to upgrade the services in the interests of
safety, security and service for residents living nearby in the Walkinstown and
Greenhills areas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“The Post Office was located in this building
decades ago with the assumption that this would be a temporary measure,” said
Cllr Michael O’Sullivan. “But despite the huge changes in the postal service
over all those years, little has changed for local residents.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“The current premises is unsuitable for a modern
post office service. There are serious safety and security concerns for staff
and customers which came to light in recent robberies. Furthermore, the premises
is too small to accommodate the large numbers who use the Post Office,”
concluded O’Sullivan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">His South Dublin
colleague Cllr Dermot Looney stated; “Since the closure of the Greenhills Post
Office with the fire at the old McHugh’s site in 2003, thousands of residents
in the Greenhills area have had to use the Bunting Rd office for their postal
service. This has led to yet further pressure on the staff and the premises
itself. It is particularly depressing to see large queues out the door at busy
times, in all weathers – particularly when so many elderly and vulnerable
people need to use the Post Office.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I have called on An Post to reinstate the postal
service in Greenhills but, in the meantime, an upgrade to the Bunting Rd
facility, or a move to an appropriate and nearby facility is required,” noted
Looney. “If there is to be a move, it must be accessible by bus from Greenhills
and other nearby estates. The rumoured move to the Superquinn on Walkinstown Road
would be inaccessible for many elderly residents in Greenhills. I have
communicated this to the CEO of An Post and Minister Pat Rabbitte and hope this
is taken on board if a new site is being sourced.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Both Cllrs have been told by An Post that they are
aware of the problems being experienced at the Bunting Rd facility and that the company
is actively seeking an upgrade. Both Cllrs have submitted motions to their
local area committees at Council level and will be continuing the campaign in
the time ahead.</span></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-44005524416089499412012-09-26T18:23:00.004+01:002012-09-26T18:23:52.894+01:00Reply to the "Seanad Reform" GroupEarlier today I received an email from a Communications firm acting on behalf of seanadreform.com, as below.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="795511115-26092012">Dear
Councillor</span></i></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="795511115-26092012">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Attached is a consultation paper entitled ‘Radical Seanad Reform Through
Legislative Change - Proposals for Measures to Transform Seanad Éireann Without
The Need For Constitutional Amendment’ prepared by Senator Feargal Quinn,
Michael McDowell, Joe O’Toole, Noel Whelan and Senator Katherine Zappone.<span> </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span></span>They look forward to receiving your views on <a href="mailto:info@seanadreform.com" title="blocked::mailto:info@seanadreform.com">info@seanadreform.com</a><span class="795511115-26092012">.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Kind regards, etc</i></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
The document is meant to be available online. My response is below.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012">Hi .....,</span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012"></span> </span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012">many thanks for your email. I read through much of the
consultation paper earlier today. Much of it is interesting; some of it is
downright offensive, e.g. the proposal to maintain votes for graduates, and the
vestige of the quasi-fascist <em>Quadragesimo Anno </em>in support of vocational
panels.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012"></span> </span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012">My views are straightforward. Seanad Éireann is an
anachronistic, elitist institution which is beyond reform. If we, as a country,
are genuine about actual democracy, and giving power to citizens and
communities, we will move on from the Seanad sideshow and seek real reform of
the Dáil, local authorities and other structures.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012"></span> </span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012">I, of course, accept that some individual Senators have been
excellent advocates in the past; but the institution itself is the
problem.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012"></span> </span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012">Is mise, le meas,</span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012">Dermot Looney</span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012"></span> </span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012"><strong>Cllr Dermot Looney</strong></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012"><strong>Labour Party | Pairtí an Lucht
Oibre</strong></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="390365016-26092012"><strong>Tallaght
Central</strong></span></span></i></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><br />
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-45699587006015963482012-09-24T23:35:00.000+01:002012-09-24T23:35:58.211+01:00Press Release - Looney Welcomes Imminent Publication of Cllr Expenses<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8hPvgEgW3gA/UGDfkOsIS1I/AAAAAAAAANE/52aT-lfHlbY/s1600/dl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Cllr Dermot Looney, a Labour Party Councillor on
South Dublin County Council (SDCC), has welcomed confirmation that all
Councillor expenses are to be published online in the coming days. Cllr Looney
has campaigned for the publication of the information since his election to
SDCC in 2009.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Following a question on notice from Cllr Looney at
June’s Council meeting, and a motion in his name passed at September’s meeting,
Council officials have confirmed the imminent publication of all Councillor
expenses and remuneration on the SDCC website. Councillors have been written to
in the last week with a draft of the published list, and full publication is
expected within the coming days. The details will be posted along with details
of Councillors’ attendance at County Council meetings since 2009.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I am delighted that this important information will
be made accessible to the public,” noted Cllr Looney. “Several other County
Councils already publish such data under Section 142(4)(g) of the 2001 Local
Government Act. Some national newspapers also publish the raw data on an
intermittent basis. However, the Council’s plan to publish fully-annotated
expenses and remuneration online will give a fairer and more complete account
of these expenses.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“These statistics will show that, in general, Councillors
receive a modest income and a level of expenses far below what is highlighted
in some of the media. Myself and my Labour colleagues on SDCC refuse, for
example, to claim any expenses for Conferences at home or abroad. In the
interests of accountability and transparency, I am releasing a full list of my
own remuneration and expenses, including all non-Council related expenses,
since 2009. This list shows that I am, consistently, one of the lowest-claiming
Cllrs on SDCC.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Some politicians milked the system for too long –
and got away with it. Now it is important that we never let this happen again.
Opening up the Council’s books and publishing this information will go some way
in ensuring transparency and accountability at local level.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ENDS</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Cllr Dermot Looney –
Remuneration and Expenses 2009-2011</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">2009 (June-Dec): Representational Payment €9,731.10;<br />
Annual Allowance €3,587.47; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone
& Broadband €300; VEC Expenses €283.64; Other Expenses €0. Total Expenses:
€4171.11</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">2010: Representational Payment €16,797.26;<br />
Annual Allowance €6,306.65; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone
& Broadband €829.35; VEC Expenses €810.40; Other Expenses €0. Total
Expenses: €7,946.40</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">2011: Representational Payment €16,723.92;<br />
Expenses €6,486.87; Home Conferences €0; International Travel €0; Phone &
Broadband €985.72; VEC Expenses €769.88; Other Expenses €0. Total Expenses:
€8,242,47</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Notes:<br />
</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><i>The “Representational Payment” is, in essence, a Councillor’s ‘salary;’ it is
fixed at one-quarter of a Senator’s salary and is dependent on attendance at
meetings. As it is subject to PAYE, PRSI, USC and other deductions, I receive
approximately €7,900 per annum nett.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">“Annual Allowance”
refers to travel, subsistence and other expenses incurred in carrying out the
duties of a Cllr. “Phone and Broadband” refers to the payments made for mobile
phone and broadband usage. “VEC expenses” are €40.52 for every meeting of the
VEC or its Subcommittees that incurs more than 3 hours work. Expenses do not
apply to Community
School boards or meetings
which take less than 3 hours.</span></span></i></div>
Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-6339531952905331142012-07-03T17:37:00.004+01:002012-07-03T17:38:32.961+01:00Press Release - Looney Elected Youngest-Ever Tallaght Area ChairLabour Councillor Dermot Looney has been elected Chair of the Tallaght Area Committee at the Annual Meeting of South Dublin County Council held on June 29th. The 29 year-old is the youngest ever Chair for the Tallaght Area and is also the first Tallaght Area Chair from the Dublin 12 area, which became a part of the Tallaght Central ward prior to the last local elections.<br />
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The Tallaght Area Committee comprises 11 Cllrs from Tallaght South and Tallaght Central, who in turn represent over 100,000 residents in the area. It is the largest Area Committee on South Dublin County Council and one of the largest in the country. The Chair of the Committee is an unpaid position which includes the chairing of monthly area committee meetings and, on occasion, representing the Mayor of the County at events. Cllr Looney was unanimously elected at the Council meeting, having been nominated by outgoing Chair Cllr Mick Duff, and seconded by Cllr Marie Corr.<br />
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“I am honoured to have been elected as Chair of the Tallaght Area Committee,” said Cllr Looney, “and look forward to working with the new Mayor Cathal King, and the other Cllrs for the Tallaght area, in continuing to promote our communities at Council level and beyond.”Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-12402916816666474022012-02-29T17:10:00.000+00:002012-02-29T17:11:18.612+00:00Press Release: Looney Slams Greyhound “Mischief-Making”, Calls on Govt to Implement Waiver SchemeCllr Dermot Looney, a Labour Party Councillor on South Dublin County Council (SDCC), has said that today’s call on the Government by Greyhound to pay them millions for a waiver scheme in SDCC is “daft and mischievous.” Looney has re-iterated his call for the Government to proceed immediately with a national bin waiver scheme, and to provide interim support for 18,000 households in South Dublin who are due to lose their waivers in a month’s time.<br /><br />“This is a daft and mischievous call by a company who have behaved disgracefully since the bin service in our area was privatised. I and my Councillor colleagues fought tooth and nail against this privatisation but the service was sold by the management, without regard to the opposition of elected representatives, in a deal whose finer details we are continuing to look for.”<br /><br />“The latest mess in the privatisation saga is the impending loss of bin waivers for some 18,000 households. There are almost 2,000 households on a waiver in my own immediate area of Dublin 12, almost all of whom are elderly residents of limited means who will be forced to pay for their collections if nothing is done by the end of March.”<br /><br />“I have consistently called on Labour in Government to implement their Programme for Government pledge to introduce a national bin waiver system for all households. This appears to have been put on the back burner by Fine Gael’s Minister Hogan, but it is now time for Labour Ministers and TD’s to put on the pressure to ensure those on low incomes are given waivers.”<br /><br />“As this will take time to implement, I am calling on the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, and the new County Manager of South Dublin County Council to meet to thrash out how those on a waiver can be accommodated in the interim. However, not one red cent should go to Greyhound given their treatment of residents in South Dublin and Dublin City and their appalling customer service record. Instead, the Government should investigate options outside this company.”Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-64613236379220497012012-02-22T00:13:00.001+00:002012-02-22T00:14:26.849+00:00Press Release: Looney Welcomes Reversal of Local DEIS CutsCllr Dermot Looney, a Labour Party Councillor on South Dublin County Council, has welcomed today’s announcement by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn that 235 posts in disadvantaged schools in the DEIS scheme will be retained. Looney, who works as a primary teacher in Tallaght, was involved in attempts to overturn the cuts since the announcement in Budget 2012, in particular with the Band 2 schools in the area.<br /><br />“I am giving a cautious welcome to news that posts in DEIS Band 1 and 2 schools are being reinstated across our area. This was a scandalous mistake by the Minister, and one which was rightly opposed by school communities across Dublin South-West. Today’s u-turn is a tribute to the schools, parents and activists who worked to save these crucial posts in our disadvantaged schools. I also want to thank our local Labour TD’s, Eamonn Maloney and Minister Pat Rabbitte, who were involved from the get-go in trying to save these posts. Schools and parents across Tallaght will breathe a sigh of relief tonight as the news breaks.”<br /><br />“However, many issues remain. St Mary’s NS in Tallaght Village, which received some support as a disadvantaged school but did not fall into the DEIS Scheme, is set to lose a number of teachers. Four local post-primary schools which are in DEIS are also set to lose out. This is in addition to a decrease in the capitation grant and a swathe of other cutbacks which schools are already forced to deal with.”<br /><br />“With billions of further cuts promised, I would call on Labour Ministers and TD’s to protect education and develop an economv strategy which promotes growth and investment, and not the failed policies of austerity, to meet our international obligations and grow our economy. Otherwise, the axe will continue to fall on crucial services and our communities will continue to suffer.”Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-62254887009093656852012-01-16T17:35:00.002+00:002012-01-16T17:37:37.777+00:00Press Release: Looney Welcomes Support for Earned Regularisation Scheme for Migrants at SDCCCllr Dermot Looney, a Labour Party Councillor on South Dublin County Council, has called for the government to act with haste in implementing an Earned Regularisation Scheme for undocumented migrants in Ireland. Cllr Looney was commenting after the unanimous passing of his motion at South Dublin County Council (SDCC) in support of such a scheme. The motion was similar to one passed on Dublin City Council, proposed by Cllr Rebecca Moynihan, in December.<br /><br />“I am delighted that Councillors from all parties supported my motion in support of undocumented migrants on both sides of the Atlantic; both the undocumented Irish living in the USA, and those migrants who have come to Ireland,” stated Cllr Looney. “We are rightly concerned with our friends and family members who are living and working, undocumented, in the USA. But now the government must also turn its attention to the thousands of people living in a comparable situation in Ireland.”<br /><br />“The Migrants Rights Centre Ireland, with whom I have worked on this campaign, estimate that some 30,000 undocumented migrants are living here. Many have lived and worked here for several years, paying taxes and contributing in many positive ways to our communities. They are often engaged in employment in catering and cleaning, and given their irregular status they are frequently subject to exploitation by ruthless employers.”<br /><br />“An Earned Regularisation Scheme would provide a humanitarian response to the issue of undocumented migrants, regularising their status, generating more in tax revenue and protecting against exploitative employers who are undermining the working conditions of all workers. Now that two of the largest local authorities in the country have unanimously supported this scheme, I am calling on the Minister for Justice and Equality to act immediately to prepare and implement such a scheme.”<br /><br />Edel McGinley, Irregular Migration Project Leader at the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland said, “we very much welcome this development and the leadership shown on this issue by South Dublin County Council. A motion such as this recognises the contribution that undocumented migrants make to Irish society and highlights the urgent need for a solution to be put in place”.<br /><br />For more on this please see http://www.mrci.ie<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TEXT OF MOTION<br /><br /></span>SDCC MEETING JANUARY 16th 2012 - MOTION NO. 5<br /><br />MOTION: Councillor D. Looney<br /><br />That this Council supports the Undocumented Irish campaign in the USA to introduce an earned regularisation scheme. This Council also notes with concern the high numbers of undocumented families and children living in Ireland without rights and under tremendous stress and fear. This Council supports the introduction of an earned regularisation scheme in Ireland, based on criteria set down by the Department of Justice and Equality, so that undocumented migrants living in Ireland can participate fully in the social, political and economic affairs of the country. This Council will forward a copy of this motion to the Minister for Justice and Equality.Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1506733688125923015.post-74236029634806961942011-11-27T21:49:00.001+00:002011-11-27T21:49:58.514+00:00Press Release: Looney: Threatened Education Cuts a Betrayal of Labour ValuesCllr Dermot Looney, a Labour Party Councillor on South Dublin County Council, has said that mooted cuts in the education budget are ‘anathema’ to Labour values and will hit disadvantaged children and communities hardest. Cllr Looney, who works as a primary school teacher in Tallaght, has called on Labour TD’s to stand firm against cuts targeted at special needs children and areas of disadvantage.<br /><br />“Threatened cuts of up to 2,000 Special Needs Assistants (SNA’s) would amount to a scandalous betrayal of Labour values in Government,” said Looney. “The previous administration capped the total number of SNA’s at 10,575 in last year’s budget. Now, the threatened plans to cut almost 1 in 5 SNA’s would lay waste to great advances made in special needs education and bring us back to the bad old days of ignorance and neglect.”<br /><br />“Approximately 6,000 SNA’s are currently employed in a mainstream primary education system catering for about half a million pupils, in addition to approximately 2,000 each in post-primary schools and special schools. The conservative spin being put out that SNA’s are some sort of luxury belies the modern, progressive education system we need for economic and social recovery. Withdrawing SNA’s will impact not only on the children to whom they are assigned; it will negatively affect the time and attention teachers can give to all pupils.”<br /><br />“Putting up to 2,000 SNA’s on the dole is exactly the kind of ‘butchery’ that Labour rightly warned against in the general election campaign. Similarly, a return to class sizes of the past as threatened is anathema to the Labour values our party is supposedly in Government to protect. Ireland's average primary class size of 24 is already the 7th highest in 29 OECD countries. The proposed increase in the pupil-teacher ratio of 2 will, according to the INTO, result in the loss of 800 primary teachers.”<br /><br />“The mooted pupil-teacher ratio increase at post-primary level to 20:1 will mean the loss of a similar number of teachers and will, according to the TUI, mean one less teacher or 33 less class periods per week in a small-medium size secondary school. Subjects which already attract smaller numbers – including key ones for economic recovery such as Honours Maths, languages or science subjects – may be culled, resulting in further-diminished prospects for our young people.”<br /><br />“There are also major cutbacks threatened to Youthreach training programmes, which provide second-chance education and training to early school leavers, primarily in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. The economic and social costs of these headline cutbacks – along with the suggested cuts and fee increases at preschool, third and fourth levels – will hit young people in working-class areas the hardest.”<br /><br />“As one of a handful of Labour public representatives to oppose entry into Government I still held out hope that Labour Ministers might protect the red-line policies for which the party received support. But instead of starting the difficult decisions at the top – by, for example, targeting tax exiles and the wealthy, and slashing funds to private fee-paying schools - it seems that the austerity agenda will begin at the bottom. Labour TD’s, many of whom are rooted in the educational needs of their communities, must ask what Labour in Government is for – and take a firm stance to protect the most vulnerable in the run-up to Budget 2012.”Dermot Looneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09706788516121375111noreply@blogger.com