Press Release - Looney Lashes Bus Cutbacks, Calls for Clarification

Dermot Looney, the Labour Party candidate in June's local elections in Tallaght Central, has slammed cutbacks in Dublin Bus routes, claiming they will hit those on low incomes, the elderly and the immobile hardest. He has also sought clarification on whether services local to Greenhills, Tallaght and the Dublin 6w area will be affected under the restructuring of bus routes and frequency.

"As a daily bus user for many years I know how important a reliable, well-funded Dublin bus service is to local people – particularly those on low incomes, older people and those who are disabled," said Looney. "The government's decision to cut jobs at Dublin Bus and the ensuing confusion about affected services means those people, who are being hit hardest by the recession in the first place, now face the prospect of being left without bus routes or with reduced services."

"I have written to Dublin Bus seeking clarifications on how cutbacks will affect the 15a, 17, 19a, 50, 56a, 77, 77a, 77x, 77n and 150 routes."

"We need to ensure that transport services are accessible to all, so I have also asked for a bus shelter to be put in place at the top of 'the Dip' in Greenpark, as well as for one to be re-installed opposite the Cuckoo's Nest in Kilnamanagh. I have also asked Dublin Bus to consider a feeder bus to the Luas line from Greenhills, where so many older people are reliant on public transport."

"It is particularly galling for the Green Party Ministers to go along with these cuts. Labour recognises that the social, environmental and economic infrastructure of our local communities is dependent on a stable, well-funded and effective public transport system. Simply put, public transport is the best way to curb vehicle emissions and reduce our carbon footprint."

"Perhaps the Greens expect us all to be able to afford hybrid cars, but they and their Fianna Fáil masters are clearly out of touch with working people by carrying through with a slash-and-burn policy at Dublin Bus."

"As a Labour candidate, I am committed to a well-funded, effective and affordable Dublin Bus service in public ownership, serving all communities in the Dublin area, and acting in an integrated manner with other public transport services in the region."

Press Release - Looney Welcomes NYCI ‘Vote at 16’ Campaign

Dermot Looney, the Labour Party candidate in June's local elections in Tallaght Central, has welcomed the National Youth Council of Ireland's (NYCI) campaign to lower the voting age to 16. Looney, 26, is the youngest candidate in South Dublin County and had previously launched a similar campaign in June 2008 aimed at reducing the voting age for local and Euro elections.

The NYCI campaign puts pressure on Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, who has responsibility for voting legislation and who promised in the Greens' last manifesto to drop the voting age.

"16 and 17 year olds have a great deal of experience with the democratic process. The teenagers of this generation have far more knowledge of politics through the CSPE programme in secondary schools. They are increasingly engaged in political and charity campaigns. And they are heavily impacted on by decisions made at local and European level," Looney stated.

"Articles 12, 16 and 47 of our Constitution enforce a voting age of 18 and above for Dáil and Presidential elections and referenda," Looney said. "But there is no such constitutional requirement for local and European elections, such as those happening in 12 months time."

"As someone who is in contact with young people on a daily basis and in a variety of capacities, I am constantly encouraged by their commitment to social justice, equality and democracy. I am lucky to have a number of committed 16 and 17 year old supporters knocking and doors and campaigning with me – but none of them are permitted to have their say this June. They are politically engaged, politically active and politically aware – but not politically enfranchised."

"A great many teenagers are rightly angered by the demonisation of youth by conservative politicians and media outlets. Now's the time for young people to stand up and be counted," stated Looney.

ENDS

Canvassing in Cherryfield

I thought some of the regular blog readers - hello there - might like to read about some of the more obvious work of the campaign, so I took the camera with me to Cherryfield this afternoon for a canvass session.

Following a spot of leafleting in Greenpark this morning, we moved to the other end of Dublin 12 for a canvass.

Cherryfield and Beechfield are in the Dublin South Central end of the new Tallaght Central ward. Locals are particularly concerned at the overdevelopment at the Ashleaf, the lack of facilities for children and youth, and vandalism, but as you'd expect the over-riding concerns are the same everywhere in the ward - jobs, the economy and education.

The reception on the doorsteps was very warm indeed. Having already campaigned heavily in the area, we are trying to ensure our early work pays off. The pictures, taken by Paul Dillon, show myself with some of our campaign team on Beechfield Close.

Bob Doyle, Rest in Peace

I was deeply saddened to hear this afternoon of the passing of Bob Doyle, the last remaining Irish member of the International Brigades who fought in the Spanish Civil War.

I was honoured to meet Bob Doyle when he spoke two years ago when he spoke at Labour Youth's Connolly Festival in the Matt Merrigan Hall at the ATGWU on Abbey Street. It was the largest public meeting Labour Youth had organised in memory - more than 200 people crowded into the room to hear Bob's account of his part in the 'comradeship of heroes' that fought Fascism in defence of the democratically-elected Republic. No one was disappointed. Bob's speech was moving beyond words, an account deeply personal and yet defiantly political.

My great honour that night was to be asked to play the meeting out by singing 'Viva La Quinte Brigada,' Christy Moore's classic song which celebrates the Irishmen of the Connolly Column who braved the Francoists in Spain and the far-right hegemony in Ireland, often alienating families and communities as a result. Bob was visibly moved at the rendition and his kind words and firm handshake after the song are what I remember best.

It is probably the greatest honour I have ever had in politics and Bob, his writings, his words and his politics will always be part of my political journey.

Adelante, comrade.



Bob was 92 and died at his home in London.

You can read more about Bob's life and tributes paid to him at the Irish Times and Indymedia.

Gaza Solidarity Meeting

I am speaking tomorrow night at this meeting. Please make it along if free. From Labour Youth...

Labour Youth will be hosting an open meeting this Wednesday - tomorrow - to discuss campaigning against the massacre taking place in Gaza.

While there is a fragile ceasefire in place, it is vital that Ireland and the international community put pressure on Israel to ensure an end to their beligerent occupation of the West Bank and their blockade of the people of Gaza.

The speakers at the meeting will be: Joe Costello T.D., Dermot Looney (Tallaght local elections candidate) and the meeting will be chaired by Maria Parodi (local elections candidate Ringsend).

The meeting takes place in the Temple Bar Hotel on Fleet Street, Temple Bar (just off Westmoreland Street) at 7.30 pm

Labour Youth is calling for:

* An end for all US financial and military aid for the Israeli army and government.
* An end for all contact between the European Union and Israel including trade until Israel adheres to international law.
* An immediate withdrawal by the Israeli army from Gaza
* An immediate restoration of the ceasefire which was broken by the Israeli army with an armed assault of Gaza on November 4th killing six Palestinians
* An immediate end to the blockade of Gaza to allow Palestinians in Gaza access to food, medical supplies and the ability to trade
* The Irish government to expel the Israeli ambassador in protest at the war crimes been committed by the Israeli government until such a time as they abide by International Law
* A boycott of Israeli goods and institutions
* An evacuation of settlers from H2 in Hebron
* An end to the construction of illegal settlements by the Israeli government within the West Bank