The Leader of the Labour Party, Pat Rabbitte TD, has criticised plans to close the Cherry Orchard rail station in Ballyfermot and has urged the Minister for Transport and the Dublin Transport Office (DTO) to review the plan which he said would seriously inconvenience commuters from the Ballyfermot area.
"The Kildare Route project, which involves upgrading the line from Heuston Station, is designed to enhance rail services between the city centre and the suburbs. However, it seems extraordinary that Ballyfermot is going to be the only area to actually lose a station as a result of this development.
"Ballyfermot is one of the biggest suburbs in Dublin. It has high public transport dependency levels and a poor bus service. Already an old platform/station has been ripped out at Sarsfield Road and now it is proposed to close down the station at Cherry Orchard.
"The proposed new station at Park West will not be adequate to meet the needs of people from Ballyfermot who wish to travel by train.
"I am now calling for a review of this decision. If the Cherry Orchard station is closed it is unlikely that an opportunity to re-open it will arise for many years."
Showing posts with label Labour Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Labour Party. Show all posts
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Public Meeting to Save Tallaght Hospital: Labour
The Dublin South West Labour Party has organised a public meeting to highlight public fears as to the future of children’s healthcare in Tallaght Hospital. The meeting will take place: 8pm, Monday March 26 Plaza Hotel, Tallaght.
Labour Leader Pat Rabbitte TD said: “For as long as the Government decision of last summer stands, the only future facing Tallaght Children’s Hospital is ‘death by a thousand cuts,’ to quote Prof Ian Graham, Vice Chairman of Tallaght Hospital.
“When in the Dail on February 27 I asked the Taoiseach if there had been any change in the Government’s decision to relocate Crumlin and Tallaght to the Mater site, he replied: ‘The Deputy asked me whether there is a change in the position and I said there is not’.
“No amount of spinning can hide the formal Government decision.
“As the Government scrambles for a face-saving formula to get them past the General Election, the Taoiseach told me in the Dail that ‘there has been no review of the decision of last summer’. This means that the Government is proceeding to build the new hospital on the site of the Mater. This decision involves the relocation of both Tallaght and Crumlin to the North inner city.
“As a result, Tallaght will be left with a casualty station, or Urgent Care Centre, but no beds. It will be little more than a glorified clinic. This centre will care for children only in limited cases and where the length of the stay is less than 24 hours. It will be staffed by consultants and other staff rotating out from the National Children’s Hospital. However consultants say this is unworkable.
“Tallaght will lose its specialised staff and parents will be asked to travel in today’s congested traffic to the northside.
“It is dishonest of Fianna Fail to pretend that the Mater decision can be implemented and that everything remains more or less the same. We need honest answers Government instead of cynical misrepresentation of their own decision. We then need a commonsense solution in the interests of local families.
“This meeting will provide people with an opportunity to express their concerns over the future of health services for their children.”
Labour Leader Pat Rabbitte TD said: “For as long as the Government decision of last summer stands, the only future facing Tallaght Children’s Hospital is ‘death by a thousand cuts,’ to quote Prof Ian Graham, Vice Chairman of Tallaght Hospital.
“When in the Dail on February 27 I asked the Taoiseach if there had been any change in the Government’s decision to relocate Crumlin and Tallaght to the Mater site, he replied: ‘The Deputy asked me whether there is a change in the position and I said there is not’.
“No amount of spinning can hide the formal Government decision.
“As the Government scrambles for a face-saving formula to get them past the General Election, the Taoiseach told me in the Dail that ‘there has been no review of the decision of last summer’. This means that the Government is proceeding to build the new hospital on the site of the Mater. This decision involves the relocation of both Tallaght and Crumlin to the North inner city.
“As a result, Tallaght will be left with a casualty station, or Urgent Care Centre, but no beds. It will be little more than a glorified clinic. This centre will care for children only in limited cases and where the length of the stay is less than 24 hours. It will be staffed by consultants and other staff rotating out from the National Children’s Hospital. However consultants say this is unworkable.
“Tallaght will lose its specialised staff and parents will be asked to travel in today’s congested traffic to the northside.
“It is dishonest of Fianna Fail to pretend that the Mater decision can be implemented and that everything remains more or less the same. We need honest answers Government instead of cynical misrepresentation of their own decision. We then need a commonsense solution in the interests of local families.
“This meeting will provide people with an opportunity to express their concerns over the future of health services for their children.”
Friday, January 05, 2007
South Dublin County Council given least money: Labour
According to Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte, T.D., South Dublin County Council is allocated the least amount of money per head of population by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
According to the statement, issued on 2nd January by Mr. Rabbitte:
"Minister Roche recently announced the distribution of €868m from the Local Govt Fund to County Councils for 2007, but when you look at the spending per head of population South Dublin County Council comes bottom of the list.
"The average spend per head of population across the country is €205. However, the figure for South Dublin County Council, is just over half that at €106. Leitrim on the other hand, quite rightly, gets €536 per person.
"If any county is in need of greater investment, it is a county like South Dublin where growth rates have been so astronomical. Is it any wonder that there is such a scarcity of resources in areas like planning and enforcement; the provision of social and affordable housing; the provision of playgrounds; and the delivery of roads.
"I have long suspected South Dublin County Council has been getting the rough end the stick from Dick Roche’s Department. These figures are a clear indication that my suspicion was right. South Dublin County Council is simply not getting the money that it needs."
Figures released in the statement show the following allocations for 2007 [Click on image to enlarge]:
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According to the statement, issued on 2nd January by Mr. Rabbitte:
"Minister Roche recently announced the distribution of €868m from the Local Govt Fund to County Councils for 2007, but when you look at the spending per head of population South Dublin County Council comes bottom of the list.
"The average spend per head of population across the country is €205. However, the figure for South Dublin County Council, is just over half that at €106. Leitrim on the other hand, quite rightly, gets €536 per person.
"If any county is in need of greater investment, it is a county like South Dublin where growth rates have been so astronomical. Is it any wonder that there is such a scarcity of resources in areas like planning and enforcement; the provision of social and affordable housing; the provision of playgrounds; and the delivery of roads.
"I have long suspected South Dublin County Council has been getting the rough end the stick from Dick Roche’s Department. These figures are a clear indication that my suspicion was right. South Dublin County Council is simply not getting the money that it needs."
Figures released in the statement show the following allocations for 2007 [Click on image to enlarge]:
[1. View Forum Discussion of this Topic]
[2. Post a Forum Comment on this Topic]
Friday, December 29, 2006
Call for legal recognition of same sex unions
LEGAL RECOGNITION OF SAME SEX UNIONS MUST BE PRIORITY FOR 2007 - LABOUR PARTY STATEMENT
The Leader of the Labour Party, Pat Rabbitte TD, has said that the issue of legal recognition of and proper protection for couples in same sex relationships must be a priority for the Oireachtas in 2007.
“I am confident that the our society has matured and attitudes changed sufficiently to the point where the majority of our people would have no problem with legislation that would provide same-sex couples with the same basic rights and duties that are available to married couples.
“Shortly before Christmas, my colleague Brendan Howlin TD, published, on behalf of the Labour Party, a private members bill that would create a status relationship equivalent to marriage for the benefit of people who are of the same sex and who, under the current constitutional understanding of marriage, cannot marry each other. The Bill provides that, in most respects, the rules of law applying to marriage would also apply to civil unions.
“If passed, this Bill would have an immediate, significant and practical impact on the everyday lives of gay and lesbian couples. Those who choose to enter into a civil union would enjoy vital legal rights which married couples take for granted, in areas such as inheritance and taxation. The Bill would bring to end many of the routine forms of institutionalised discrimination that exist in our society and which impinge on in a very real way on people’s lives."
[Read rest of statement]
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[2. Post a Comment on this Topic]
The Leader of the Labour Party, Pat Rabbitte TD, has said that the issue of legal recognition of and proper protection for couples in same sex relationships must be a priority for the Oireachtas in 2007.
“I am confident that the our society has matured and attitudes changed sufficiently to the point where the majority of our people would have no problem with legislation that would provide same-sex couples with the same basic rights and duties that are available to married couples.
“Shortly before Christmas, my colleague Brendan Howlin TD, published, on behalf of the Labour Party, a private members bill that would create a status relationship equivalent to marriage for the benefit of people who are of the same sex and who, under the current constitutional understanding of marriage, cannot marry each other. The Bill provides that, in most respects, the rules of law applying to marriage would also apply to civil unions.
“If passed, this Bill would have an immediate, significant and practical impact on the everyday lives of gay and lesbian couples. Those who choose to enter into a civil union would enjoy vital legal rights which married couples take for granted, in areas such as inheritance and taxation. The Bill would bring to end many of the routine forms of institutionalised discrimination that exist in our society and which impinge on in a very real way on people’s lives."
[Read rest of statement]
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[2. Post a Comment on this Topic]
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
How do you reinstate a demolished convent?
STATEMENT BY MARY UPTON TD
Labour Party Deputy for Dublin South Central,
Tuesday, December 5th 2006
OWNER OF ILLEGALLY DEMOLISHED CONVENT MUST REINSTATE BUILDING
Labour Party Deputy for Dublin South Central, Dr Mary Upton TD, has welcomed last night’s confirmation by Dublin City Council that the owner of Presentation Convent in Terenure that was recently illegally demolished must reinstate the building.
Deputy Upton commented, "I am absolutely delighted that Council planning enforcement officers are grasping the nettle and demanding reinstatement of the building.
"This charming, historic building was being actively considered for listing on the Record of Protected Structures prior to demolition. Much of the demolished building dated to the 1830's. It was one of the last intact mansions in Terenure.
"I will follow this case very closely, as indeed will the large number of local people who have been in touch with me to protest against its demolition.
"I am very much in favour of development. But taking the law into your own hands and breaching the planning laws like this developer appears to have done gives all developers a bad name."
www.labour.ie/press/
*Question from Labour Cllr John Gallagher and City Manager’s reply
enclosed
Q89. COUNCILLOR JOHN GALLAGHER
To ask the City Manager to investigate the conditions surrounding the
demolition of a structure, (details supplied), and report on (a) the
procedures that should have been observed (b) outlines what sanctions,
if any, may be apply to the person responsible for the demolition; and
if he will make a statement on the matter.
Details: Presentation Convent, Terenure.
CITY MANAGER’S REPLY:
(A) Planning Permission should have been obtained prior to the
demolition of the building in question.
(B) An Enforcement Notice under Section 154 of the Planning and
Development Act 2000-2006 has been served on the owner of the property
requiring:
1. The cessation of the unauthorised work on site;
2. The Property to be reinstated to the satisfaction of the Planning
Department of Dublin City Council.
A prosecution under section 151 of the planning and Development Act
2000-2006 has been initiated against the developer of this property in
connection with the unauthorised demolition of, (details supplied).
Labour Party Deputy for Dublin South Central,
Tuesday, December 5th 2006
OWNER OF ILLEGALLY DEMOLISHED CONVENT MUST REINSTATE BUILDING
Labour Party Deputy for Dublin South Central, Dr Mary Upton TD, has welcomed last night’s confirmation by Dublin City Council that the owner of Presentation Convent in Terenure that was recently illegally demolished must reinstate the building.
Deputy Upton commented, "I am absolutely delighted that Council planning enforcement officers are grasping the nettle and demanding reinstatement of the building.
"This charming, historic building was being actively considered for listing on the Record of Protected Structures prior to demolition. Much of the demolished building dated to the 1830's. It was one of the last intact mansions in Terenure.
"I will follow this case very closely, as indeed will the large number of local people who have been in touch with me to protest against its demolition.
"I am very much in favour of development. But taking the law into your own hands and breaching the planning laws like this developer appears to have done gives all developers a bad name."
www.labour.ie/press/
*Question from Labour Cllr John Gallagher and City Manager’s reply
enclosed
Q89. COUNCILLOR JOHN GALLAGHER
To ask the City Manager to investigate the conditions surrounding the
demolition of a structure, (details supplied), and report on (a) the
procedures that should have been observed (b) outlines what sanctions,
if any, may be apply to the person responsible for the demolition; and
if he will make a statement on the matter.
Details: Presentation Convent, Terenure.
CITY MANAGER’S REPLY:
(A) Planning Permission should have been obtained prior to the
demolition of the building in question.
(B) An Enforcement Notice under Section 154 of the Planning and
Development Act 2000-2006 has been served on the owner of the property
requiring:
1. The cessation of the unauthorised work on site;
2. The Property to be reinstated to the satisfaction of the Planning
Department of Dublin City Council.
A prosecution under section 151 of the planning and Development Act
2000-2006 has been initiated against the developer of this property in
connection with the unauthorised demolition of, (details supplied).
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