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New Charge On Democracy
Labour Party Spokesperson on the Environment, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, has raised questions about the legality of proposals to impose a charge on citizens commenting or objecting to a planning application. He said a recent European Commission ruling could render such a charge illegal under European law.
Mr Gilmore said, "The environmental group, Friends of the Irish Environment recently sought a ruling from the European Commission on the legality of the proposed fee to be imposed on commentators or objectors on planning proposals. From January 1st, the Government here plans to impose a fee of £16 on anyone who wishes to object to any aspect of a planning application."
"In their ruling, the Commission stated that the imposition of fees in respect of the submissions by the public of opinions on development consent procedures is contrary to a European Directive covering impact assessment. This would effectively render the new charge illegal under European law", Deputy Gilmore claimed.
"Given the huge increase in development here, the Labour Party believes that local communities should have every opportunity to have their views heard. The imposition of a charge is a direct assault on this principle. Minister Dempsey seems intent on excluding people from the planning process and creating a system whereby the size of your cheque book has more sway than the strength of your argument."
Mr Gilmore concluded, "If the regulations are passed, any comment or objection to a planning application which is not accompanied by a cheque for £16 will be ignored. This is yet another assault on local democracy by Minister Dempsey who recently rammed legislation through Dail Eireann which excludes local communities and their public representatives from decisions regarding waste management. The Minister must now clarify where he stands on this matter."
Christmas Lights Mark End Of Roadworks
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council would like to take this opportunity to thank shoppers, retailers and local residents for their patience during the development of Dun Laoghaire town centre. The recent Winter Wonderland was a day to celebrate the regeneration of the town and also an opportunity to celebrate the start of the Christmas season. This coincides with the opening of the George’s Street Regeneration Project on the 31st.
Balloon artists, Clowns, Stilt Walkers, Jugglers, Fire Chain artists, Magicians, Face painters and The Guinness Jazz band hit the streets at 2pm. Tumble Circus, the new, creative circus company provided a death-defying trapeze, juggling and fire act.
An Cathaoirleach Councillor Betty Coffey performed the official lighting ceremony at 4.30. The streetlights and Christmas tree then formed the backdrop for the climax of the show.
The remaining barriers are being swept away and the whole of George's Street will soon be open to traffic. As well as the completion of the road works a spectacular new street light ensemble has been unveiled at the top of Marine Road. This consists of three tall steel lamp posts with each being topped with huge petal shaped lights- giving the effect of large steel flowers.
Parents in Education
A recent graduation with a difference was that of Parents in Education ( Year One) who graduated from the National College of Ireland on November 16th. The course they undertook is designed to give adults new skills such as computer literacy allowing them to go back into the workplace. The successful graduates pictured here are all from the Shankill, Ballybrack and Loughlinstown areas.
Success for Mahon School of Dancing
Pictured are pupils of the Josephine Mahon School of Irish Dancing . The girls had taken part in the Irish Open Dancing Championship held over the bank Holiday Weekend at Caesar's Hotel, Rosslare and they won several prizes at the championship.
Win An Atlantic homecare Gift Voucher
Atlantic Homecare supplies everything for the home and easy parking at it' Sandyford store. Here you can find gifts for everyone. For instance: Poinsettia plants, aromatherapy candles, vases, pot pourri, cushions, gardening gloves, power tools, kid's bedside lamps, picture frames etc. There is also a large range of bright decorations. Or why not take the hassle out of shopping and shop on-line at
www.atlantic.ieSouth Dublin Life & Leisure Newspaper have two Atlantic Homecare Christmas Decorations Gift Tokens each of the value of £50 to give away to two readers. Just put your name on a postcard to enter a draw to receive one. Mark the card 'Atlantic Homecare draw', South Dublin Life & Leisure Newspaper, 6A Church Place, Sallynoggin, Co Dublin
Unionist MP At Dublin South FF. Meeting
Lady Sylvia Hermon, MP of the UK Parliament, representing North Down, has made history by becoming the first Unionist MP to address a full meeting of Dublin South Fianna Fail Comhairle Dailceanetair. The private meeting, at the Goat in Goatstown was the first of it's kind between the two parties.
In a warm welcome to Lady Sylvia on behalf of Fianna Fail, local TD and Minister of State to the Taoiseach, Seamus Brennan, said that traditional constitutional aspirations will be pursued by persuasion, by working together and by politics, never again by the bomb and bullet." Let's not pretend that Fianna Fail policy will not remain one of some day re-uniting this island," said Mr Brennan." but let's not pretend either that Unionist policy will not remain one of Northern Ireland seeing its future within the United Kingdom. Let's not pretend that those differences do not exist. But let's rejoice in the Good Friday Agreement as a framework within which those two traditions can be married, and in the fact that it offers real hope for a peaceful future."
O’Malley Welcomes Funding For Waiting Lists
Progressive Democrats Councillor Fiona O’Malley has stated, "The £30 million announced in the Budget for the Treatment Purchase Fund is great news for public patients on waiting lists.
The Government has clearly accepted the immediate need for the Treatment Purchase Fund for patients, an idea the Progressive Democrats brought to the Health Strategy." She added, "The money will be used exclusively to purchase treatments for patients in hospitals in Ireland and elsewhere.
From next year, public patients will know there is dedicated Team with a specific budget to buy the treatments they need. Combined with an investment in 650 new beds, the Treatment Purchase Fund will mean that there will be no more dispiriting, long waits for treatment without even an appointment date.
At present, there are over 26,000 people on the hospital waiting list. The Fund should deliver treatments for more than 10,000 people next year. The new public beds should cater for the balance of waiting list cases. "
She concluded, "This is the approach put forward by the Progressive Democrats: practical actions to deliver results for patients. Equity and fairness is about results, not rules and regulations.
The next step is to appoint the National Treatment Purchase Team urgently. This will be further good news for public patients in the coming weeks. "
Sandyford Woman Wins Marketing Award
Muireaann Nic Fheorais from Sandyford was the proud winner of the Student of the Year Award sponsored by Business & Finance at the Marketing Institute 2001 Graduation. Muireanan, who works with Smith & Nephew received the award for distinction in her Marketing Certificate exams.
Pictured at The Marketing Institute 2001 Graduation held on the 17th November at the RDS are Miriam Hughes, Chairman, The Marketing Institute, Muireann Nic Fheorais, Smith & Nephew and Maura Maughan, Business & Finance.
Science Award For St Raphaela's School
Three senior students from St Rapahela's' Secondary School, Stillorgan have won The Irish Times Science Teacher's National Science Quiz in Trinity College Dublin on Saturday 24th November.
Aoife Mc Farlane, Sarah Walsh and Susan Connolly were the first team from an all girl's secondary school to win this prestigious award from among 52 teams who qualified for the finals from around the country.
Mr Mark Fennell, the School Principal, said that his Science Department have made great progress in enhancing the profile of Science among the students in St Rapahela's at a time when the Department of Education is more anxious for more students to study science.
Ms. Stella Lalor, Senior Science teacher in St Rapahela's said that the girl's splendid performance was the reward for their hard wok the students put into the study of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. She says that she and all her colleagues are equally enthusiastic about introducing the new science curriculum and ensuring that students are stimulated and challenged to study science in the future.
Taoiseach Admits Breach of PPF Housing Commitments
The Taoiseach has admitted that the Government is in breach of the PPF commitments on housing. The Taoiseach conceded the Government's failure in an exchange with Labour's Eamon Gilmore during question time in Dail Eireann this week .
"The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness includes a commitment to build 25,000 local authority houses over the lifetime of the agreement. The Government signed up to this deal but it has done little to deliver on it's commitment.In Dail Eireann the Taoiseach admitted that the commitment to build 25,000 houses will not be reached. It is a major breach of the PPF,"said Mr Gilmore. "The Government has no excuse for this gross dereliction of duty. There are at least 60,000 families and individuals on local authority housing lists. These people have been abandoned by the Government. I estimate that no more than 12,000 houses will be built during the duration of the PPF. It is a pathetic response to the worse housing crisis in living memory."
He concluded, "The Government is quick to remind every social partner of their commitments under the PPF. Yet the fact that the Government is in flagrant breach of its own undertakings has to be dragged out of the Taoiseach. The credibility of the Government in relation to the PPF has been seriously damaged."
"The Government failure to deliver on its own housing commitments means that more and more people are have to rely on the private rented sector for their accommodation needs. Yet, despite its own complicity in sustaining the housing crisis, the Government will not bring forward legislation to protect tenants rights. The Taoiseach should hang his head in shame."
Living In Euro Land
A day long dreamed off will be with us in less than six weeks- 1st January 2001, is Euro Changeover day. Some people are ready for it, but for others it will be as bewildering as going on holiday and never coming home. Those worried by the Euro changeover can readily find help from the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland.
If you missed receiving an informative booklet ( mailed out to all on the electoral register in October), phone the board for your copy. The Changeover also has a hugely informative website with a great deal of information on the change over:
www.euro.ie This includes a Euro calculator, frequently asked questions and links to other useful sites,.On January 1st 2002 (¤-day), Euro notes and coins will begin circulating There will be a dual circulation period, during which the use of Euro notes and coins will be increasing and the use of Irish notes and coins will be decreasing. By 9th February 2002 the changeover to the Euro will be complete and Irish pound notes and coins will be withdrawn
The designs for Euro notes were chosen by the European Monetary Institute (EMI), the forerunner of the European Central Bank, in December 1996, following an EU-wide design competition.
They were inspired by the theme "Ages and Styles of Europe". The winning design depicts the prevailing architectural style during seven ages in Europe's cultural history: Classical, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, the age of iron and glass, and modern 20th Century architecture - and emphasises three main architectural elements: windows, gateways and bridges.
Windows and gateways form the principal element of the front face of each bank note and symbolise the spirit of openness and co-operation in the European Union. The twelve stars of the EU are also featured. The reverse face of each bank note shows a bridge typical of the respective age of European development.
The other main aspects that are depicted on the banknotes are: The name of the currency, EURO, which appears in both the Latin and the Greek alphabet; the flag of the European Union on the reverse of the banknote; the initials of the issuing authority in five variants; and the signature of the President of the ECB. The banknotes increase in size as the denomination rises. Euro notes will be issued in seven denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.
Be warned however there's no room for complacency. Several years ago, it was rumoured that huge counterfeit operations in the Mediterranean had already printed off BILLIONS of Euro notes in preparation for what could be the biggest counterfeit operation in history. Ask your bank or the Euro Board if you're not sure what the new notes look like.
Euro Changeover Board of Ireland (ECBI)
15 Lower Hatch Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel No:01 - 639 6200
Fax No:01 - 639 6201
LoCall:1890 20 10 50The Board will also be happy to take enquiries by Email at:
euro@finance.gov.ie
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