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Private Bus Companies Shackled - Mitchell
Fine Gael spokeswoman on local government and housing Olivia Mitchell TD has expressed anger at the delays in the provision of private bus services and asked was the Government really interested in reducing congestion.
Olivia Mitchell said, "It appears that the prime consideration of the Government agencies is to protect Dublin Bus and this supersedes all consideration of the public's need to have access to public transport."
"The rules with which private operators must comply to get a licence are so circumscribed in order to protect Dublin Bus revenue that they are virtually useless. Such is the restricted and consequently uneconomic nature of private licences that one bus operator reports the cancellation of an order for 10 new buses and that he has 12 buses lying idle."
"For instance on any part of the licensed route which is served by Dublin Bus the private operator is prohibited from picking up passengers. This effectively rules out the entire city area within the canals and many suburban areas no matter how inadequate the Dublin Bus service."
"In one case a proposed orbital service on the north and south canals was given a licence but the operator was prohibited from either picking up or dropping passengers on the south side canal! Meanwhile the Minister for Public Enterprise allows Dublin Bus to get away with preventing private buses from using existing bus stops.
"It makes no sense to duplicate the entire infrastructure but the fact that this is going on reflects the Minister's priority of making it as difficult as possible for the public to have any service unless it is provided by DublinBus.
"This year not a single additional bus will be added to the Dublin Bus fleet. It defies reason that against this background, instead of begging private operators to provide commuter services the Government forces them to pass crowded bus stops for fear of taking a single customer from Dublin Bus," said Olivia Mitchell.
Luas Second Luas Depot Under Construction
Construction of the second Luas depot which will service Line B of the Dublin Light rail Project- Sandyford to St Stephen's Green has begun.
The Minister of State at the Department of An Taoiseach, Mr Seamus Brennan TD, officially turned the sod at the depot at Blackthorn Avenue.
"The construction of this second depot is a clear sign that this Government is committed to providing a second light rail line which will serve the needs of Sandyford Industrial Estate
and commuters travelling to the city," stated Minister Brennan, as he turned the sod on the second Luas depot in Sandyford on Monday 15th October.
The Sandyford depot is a design and build contract and is being undertaken by Ansaldo MVM BNI joint venture who will also construct the track for both Line A Tallaght to Connolly Station and line B Sandyford to St Stephen's Green. The overall site area is in the region of 23,000 metres squared. The depot will be a stand alone maintenance facility for the 14 forty metre trams which will serve commuters from Sandyford to St Stephen's Green.
It will contain a wash plant, sanding plant, wheel turning lathe and workshop as well as a small control centre for the trams servicing this line. Park and Ride facilities for 90 cars will be available adjacent to the depot with additional spaces provided at the nearby Stillorgan stop. The tram terminus will be accessible to pedestrians from Brewery Road by means of a footpath along the reservoirs.
Construction of this depot will commence shortly and will be completed in twelve months time. When Line B is completed, commuters will be able to travel from Stephen's Green to Sandyford in 22 minutes.
Leopardstown Hospital Extension
The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheal Martin TD, recently visited Leopardstown Park Hospital to 'turn the first sod' to mark the occasion of commencement of construction of a 50 bed unit for older people.
Dr Tom O'Dwyer, Chairman of the Hospital Board, welcomed the Minister for Health and Children and His Excellency Sir Ivor Roberts, British ambassador, along with various representatives from British ex-service agencies, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the East Coast Area Health Board to commemorate the event.
The new unit, which had been planned for a number of years, is being funded primarily by the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
The Leopardstown Park Hospital Trust and the Irish Ex-Serviceman's Trust are also contributing towards the capital cost of the project. The cost of the unit, which will take one year to complete is £3.4 million. Ellen Construction Limited are the principal contractors. The unit is designed on modern standards for the provision of long term nursing and residential care.
Dr Tim O'Dwyer acknowledged the co-operation of various agencies in the construction of this unit. He also applauded the level of goodwill, which has been afforded by ex-service agencies and local health agencies since 1979, when new management structures for the hospital were agreed for the hospital between the British and Irish governments. The unit will meet the needs of the ex-service community and at the same time assist in meeting service needs for the growing elderly population in Dublin South East
A Lifetime of Diving Recalled
‘Submerged- A Lifetime of Diving’ was officially launched at a reception in the Waterways Visitor Centre, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2 on Tuesday 9th October. The author Mick Moriarty was joined by Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute, who officially launched the book at the reception.
‘Submerged – A Lifetime of Diving’ is the personal memoir of Mick Moriarty. A unique publication, the book is the first to be published which details the history of diving in Ireland. From the author’s personal experiences, to the growth of diving as a national sport, ‘Submerged’ provides a valuable insight into this popular sport. The book, which details Mick Moriarty’s experiences and adventures of over forty three years of diving in Ireland and abroad, is based on the author’s personal diaries and diving logbooks over the years. In addition, as the Archivist to the Irish Underwater Council, Mick has had access to a large range of records and documents, from which he also draws.
Gilmore Welcomes House Down Sizing Plan
The Labour Party Spokesperson on the Environment, Eamonn Gilmore TD has welcomed a radical new plan which will allow householders to sell their home to the County Council and be allocated a Council home instead.
The new scheme, which was approved by last week's meeting of the County Council, is aimed at people who are living in houses which are too big for their needs. "The typical applicant will probably be somebody whose family is reared, and maybe whose partner is deceased, and is now living in a house which is too big for his/ her needs and who is finding it difficult to keep up the maintenance and to do the garden" said Eamonn Gilmore.
"The idea is that the Council will buy the house from that person for the market value of the house, and then the person will make a financial contribution towards the provision of suitable Council accommodation."
"That way the person concerned would be able to get accommodation which might be more suitable for their needs, and get the financial benefit now of selling their home. In return, the Council gets a family sized de dwelling, which it can make available to a family who needs the space."
"This scheme makes a lot of sense. their is no point in somebody living on their now in a house which is too big for their needs., if they can realise the value of the house now, and at the same time be allocated a dwelling in a suitable area which meets their needs."
Hayes Slams Waste of Local Hospital Beds
"Another monumental failure of management by the Minister for Health was revealed in reports that 20 surgical hospital beds have been left idle while public patients wait years for operations said Fine Gael Deputy Brian Hayes recently.
"The beds at St. Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire were to have eased the pressure on the surgical waiting list at St. Vincent's Hospital which has doubled over the lifetime of this Government and currently stands at 3,135. The money to open and staff the beds was provided under the Government's much hyped Waiting List Initiative. These beds were not under the usual pressures of admitting emergency patients through casualty and were to be exclusively used to reduce waiting lists. Instead, they have remained grossly underused, and patients have suffered unnecessarily."
He concluded, "This is yet another example of the Government's inability to manage the health services and to provide a quality service for patients. There will be no mention of this waste of opportunity for patients - over 50% have already been waiting over a year for their operation - in the Minister's self-congratulatory press releases."
He concluded, 'The Tanaiste Mary Harney recently claimed credit for a 'value for money' audit of the health services. Did this failure show up in her audit? Does Government boasting about its expenditure on the health services take account of the real added value for patients - improved health and improved quality of life? This waste of beds while patients suffer is a damning indictment of the Government's continued incompetence."
AIB Makes It Possible for Barnardos Children in Dún Laoghaire
As the issue of children's exclusion from education and the grip that poverty has on them grows by the day and with more children and young people in crisis situations than ever before, there was good news recently for two Barnardos Centres in Dún Laoghaire. The Barnardos Family Support Centre on Tivoli Terrace South and Barnardos Cottage Childcare Project on Tivoli Road both received funding under the AIB Better Ireland Programme.
Twenty three Barnardos centres nationwide also received funding from AIB to purchase educational toys and equipment.
Barnardos Family Support Centre provides an integrated service to children and families who present a variety of different needs. The aim of this work is to promote the social and emotional development of children providing them support through Crêche, Pre School, after school and individual counselling facilities. The children are encouraged to be creative, to get involved in the planning of activities, to develop problem solving skills and to learn about social relationships. Safe, bright and clean environments offering plenty of variety ensure lots of fun where children's independence and social integration can develop. Parents can receive advice and support in their roles as parents, their relationships with their children and any other relevant issues they may be experiencing through individual work and the parents group. The service also runs drop-in groups, such as a Toy Library and family time. The Barnardos Cottage Childcare Project provides a model of best practice for other community-based childcare projects within the SouthsidePartnership area. The initiative began as part of the Southside Childcare
Action Group (affiliated to the Southside Partnership) overall strategy for the greater Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown area. Barnardos have undertaken the management of the Service. Within the centre the focus is very much on providing a child centred developmental environment. The aim is to meet the needs of each individual child focusing on their social and emotional development. The approach of the Highscope method is used, whichidentifies and builds on children's strengths, interests and abilities and the Centre aims to provide childcare to facilitate parents who wish to access work, training or education. Following extensive research, the AIB Better Ireland Programme is committed to tackling the issue of social exclusion at an early stage and has focused its resources into key concerns affecting children in this country. By addressing three specific causes; the effects of drugs and alcohol, education and poverty, and homelessness, the AIB Better IrelandProgramme aims to make a significant difference in the lives of children affected by these social issues.
Speaking about the funding announcement, Ms Emma-Jane Nutley, Project Co-ordinator, Cottage Childcare Project, Dún Laoghaire said, "We are obviously delighted to receive funding under the AIB Better Ireland Programme. The lives of children who are affected by education and poverty are characterised by low self-esteem and insecurity." Ms Kerri Smith,Barnardos Family Support Centre continued, "The Barnardos Family Centres enable children to build their self esteem, maximise the ability to learn at an early age and enable them to settle more easily at school thus preventing early school leaving and enabling children to benefit from the educational system."
Olivia Mitchell On Roads
Olivia Mitchell TD Dublin South said to-day that the behaviour of the NRA was totally reprehensible in reneging on promises to fund ameliorating traffic measures in the wake of the opening of the Southern Cross motorway to Ballinteer.
"Prior to the opening of the motorway the clear impression was given to the Co. Council that what ever was needed to ensure the flow of traffic after the August opening would be forthcoming from the NRA. This was clearly a ploy to ensure that cautionary voices like my own would be ignored. A list of measures was submitted to the NRA which in the view of the Co, Council were absolutely necessary to prevent bottlenecks in the surrounding area during the 4 year period it will take to complete the motorway.
Now that the motorway is opened to Ballinteer they have simply walked away from those commitments and are now offering a paltry sum for minor and totally inadequate works.
The word bottleneck has taken on a whole new dimension in the Ballinteer/Dundrum/Sandyford area where every journey is now an endurance test. Residents are close to total revolt, commuters cannot get to work and local traders are in despair.
We simply cannot be abandoned to live like this for a further 4 years. The public can accept some disruption while the remaining portion of the motorway is constructed but they cannot and will not tolerate disruption which could be avoided.
Meanwhile there are measures which the Council itself could take to minimise impacts which were totally predictable. Yellow boxes which would allow residents to exit from estates which are now fronting onto permanent traffic queues is one example. Another is the provision of some sort of traffic calming for areas which have become escape routes for drivers stuck in these traffic jams.
The public's tolerance has been tested to the limit and unless the NRA and the council show a determination to take reasonable measures to improve the situation there will inevitably be demands for the closure of the newly opened section of the motorway. Certainly it makes no sense to jeopardise the huge investment in the motorway in order to save a few pounds.
Attempts at Reducing Driving Test Waiting Lists a Shambles
The Labour Party Spokesperson on the Environment, Deputy Eamon Gilmore has claimed that the Government's attempts at reducing driving test waiting lists have been a shambles. He was responding to a new study that shows an average increase in waiting times of almost two weeks in most areas since July.
"It is now patently obvious that all attempts by Minister Bobby Molloy and his colleagues to reduce the waiting lists for driving tests have been an utter shambles. The average waiting list at the 49 testing centres throughout the State has increased by almost two weeks, leaving some 60,000 people still waiting to do the driving test", he explained.
"The Minister is clearly completely aloof from the lengthening waiting lists in this area, which are directly contributing to the number of unqualified drivers on our roads, and thereby the number of accidents, fatal or otherwise that occur. Despite this development the Government continues to sit on its hands in relation to a consultants report of earlier this year which made some very constructive proposals in this area", he said.
"That report recommended the establishment of a driving test agency as well as a number of other radical changes to the service. The Government has been tardy in their decision-making on this issue, as the waiting times continue to increase.
They have also failed to address why it is that if you live in Carrick-on Shannon you will have to wait to take the test four weeks longer than if you live in Tallaght" said the Deputy.
"It is now imperative that Bobby Molloy produce a concrete set of initiatives to speed up the availability of driving tests and address the geographical imbalance in this area. Until he does the likelihood of more accidents and fatalities on our roads due to the number of unskilled drivers is likely to continue to rise", Eamon Gilmore added.
New Citroen Dealership for Dún Laoghaire
Gallic Distributors, main dealers of Citroen in Ireland are proud to announce the establishment of a new dealership and showrooms at the Gleanageary roundabout in Dún Laoghaire. The large showroom ( formerly occupied by Toyota was very recently completed to the highest standards in car showroom design. Full length windows give the best possible lighting to all of the new Citroen models.
Gowan Group ( the parent company of Gallic Distributors ) and the owners of the new dealership have stated they are delighted with the new location- the new showroom shows the cars to their best advantage and also has good car parking outside for clients. As it is located off a major roundabout, it is also easy to travel there from all parts of South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire.
Government Housing Policy has Been a Disaster
No Comfort for Government in Latest Housing Surveys - Gilmore
Labour Party Spokesperson on the Environment Eamon Gilmore today accused the Government of gross incompetence and complacency in the face of the worst housing crisis experienced in the State.
"Three surveys of the Irish housing market were published yesterday and the Government can take little comfort from their contents. The Irish Permanent survey demonstrates that national house prices are still rising. The only fall-off has been in the rate of increase. The slight fall in the price of some second hand homes in Dublin in the third quarter is recorded in the two other reports by Sherry Fitzgerald and Douglas Newman Good. However, as a spokeswomanfor Sherry Fitzgerald commented they believe that this is just 'a temporary phenomenon'."
"The Government has no intention of tackling the core issue of house affordability. It is utterly directionless. More and more people are being squeezed out of the housing market and forced to rely on the private rented sector for their housing needs. However, the Government has refused to introduce the reforms urgently needed to give tenants security of tenure and a degree of certainty regarding rental increases. The Government has refused to implement key aspects of the Commission on the Private Rented Sector, and has basically left this vital Report to gather dust on the shelf."
"Meanwhile, tenants are facing huge problems. The Institute of ProfessionalAuctioneers and Valuers recently reported that Dublin was the most expensive city in Europe to rent an apartment in. Many tenants are now paying more in rent than would for a mortgage if they could find an affordable property. Most shockingly the Northern Area Health Board confirmed the fact that workers earning the minimum now find themselves homeless because of sky high rents."
"The Government has refused to take the hard decisions needed to restore sanity to the housing market. Tenants and first-time buyers have been particularly hard hit by the Government's complacency and incompetence. This Government's housing policy has been a disaster."
Council Environmental Conference for Hotels
Hotels as accommodation providers no longer believe that the environment has nothing to do with them, and attendance by hotel mangers from the Dublin area to a recent Environmental Conference, is testimony to this. The free environmental conference for hotels was organised by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, as part of their Green Business Network.
The Green Business Network was set up by the County Council to advance the competitiveness of the local business community by promoting environmental responsibility. The aim of the network is to provide advice and support to the commercial sector, and to therefore progress their environmental and their business performance.
Helen Maher is the co-ordinator of the Green Business Network, on behalf of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, She said, "The idea for this conference came when I was contacted by the Radisson Hotel Group, looking for advice on how to implement their World-wide Environmental Standards, as they opened their new hotel in Blackrock".
"The County Council through the Green Business Network, worked closely with the Radisson Hotel group to help them implement these standards. In assisting the Radisson Hotel I realised there was a lot of information on recycling options, energy saving and water saving devices available to hotels from various environmental organisations. "
The first environmental conference for hotels was organised last September, to provide a medium for local hotels to meet with representatives from environmental organisations, and to learn how to reduce waste and comply with legislation for which the County Council is responsible for regulating, including the Waste Management Packaging Regulations and Trade Discharge Licensing.
The conference was based on the Environmental Guide for Hotels - 'A Natural Shade of Green', which was recently published by the Irish Hotels Federation and the Institute of Technology, Tralee. Speakers at the conference included environmental staff from the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and other guests from Dublin Corporation, the Irish Energy Centre, Codema, and Henkel-Ecolabs.
Helen said, "Through the Green Business Network, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, are working in partnership with the business community to help them reduce their costs financially and environmentally, while protecting the environment. Throughout the last year we have worked with local companies particularly small to medium sized enterprises (SME's), supermarkets, hospitals, colleges, and garages."
Other recent initiatives organised through the Green Business Network, were to recognise the efforts of the business community to promote recycling, for example prizes were awarded to Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt, for locating a range of recycling initiatives in their car-park, including a hazardous waste collection in co-operation with the County Council, while various garages around the county were awarded prizes for providing bottle, can and newspaper recycling banks for the public.
The County Council have also just published a guide to the Waste Management Packaging Regulations and a Directory of Waste Recycling firms operating in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area. The next event for the Green Business Network is a 'Waste Minimisation & Recycling Expo' to allow such recycling firms to exhibit their services to the local business community, who have obligations under the Packaging Regulations.
For Further Information Please Contact:
Helen Maher Green Business Network Co-ordinator
Tel 2054700 Extension. 4672
Victorian Shelter Is Tramp's Home
The problem of homelessness in Dún Laoghaire is highlighted by this picture taken this week of a Victorian shelter, near the seafront in Dún Laoghaire. This one time ornament of the Victorian seafront is now a tramp's shelter- and yet it is located just opposite the town hall. Although the town of Dún Laoghaire appears to be booming this is a glaring reminder of the homeless and drug addicted on our streets. A spokeswoman for the Council said she was aware that people had taken up residence in the shelter in the last two months. She also said the Council had previously planned to move the shelters, which had become dilapidated and that the Council was in communication with the homeless residents of the shelters and that the Council was making plans to rehouse them.
Gilmore "Seriously Concerned " Over Dún Laoghaire Council Accounts
Eamonn Gilmore has stated, "I am seriously concerned over the Local Government Auditor's Report on the 1999
Accounts for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. I will be seeking a detailed explanation from the County Manager and from the Director of Finance at the next meeting of the County Council, which is to consider the Auditor's Report."
"The Audit Opinion carries four qualifications from the Auditor. One of these relates to Internal Control weaknesses. The auditor states that proper reconciliations were not prepared for 20 items of Council Accounting.
I have now read the auditor's report and I am seriously concerned about the qualifications which have been made by the Auditor. Unlike Government departments, state agencies and VEC's, the accounts of County councils do not come within the remit of the Dail Public Accounts Committee. The elected Council itself will therefore have to carry out a thorough examination of this report and seek the explanations from the County manager. Certainly I will be raising many questions about this report at the next meeting.
Park House Polio Fellowship
Pictured at the annual graduation & conferring of certificates of Park House, Polio Fellowship, were from left Councillor Larry Butler, representative of the Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown county council, William Keogh, winner of the student of the year award and the annual Stephen's award scheme for his studies in horticulture and Christine Flynn, Area Manager, Park House, polio Fellowship training and education centre.
Public Called On To Donate Blood NOW!
Ireland's first Blood for Life Week got underway when Minister for Health & Children, Micheal Martin TD and RTE's Sharon Ni. Bheolain officially launched the Irish Blood Transfusion Service's Awareness Campaign. Assisting in the launch were Caroline Wade (18) and Peter Martin (5) who both received blood transfusions during surgery. The main aim of the week, which ran from the 24th-30th September 2001, is to encourage people to make a promise to become a blood donor. It also aims to raise awareness among the general public of how important it is to give blood.
RTE's Sharon Ni Bheolain was Ambassador for Blood for Life Week and Centra Food Stores throughout the country promoted awareness of blood donation in their 300 stores throughout the country. Elastoplast, Texaco, Digifone and 2FM also endorsed Ireland's first national Blood For Life Week with Texaco sponsoring a £2000 holiday voucher in a competition for people who pick up a Pledge Card at Centra to become a donor.
The Minister for Health & Children, Michael Martin TD encouraged more people to make a promise to become a blood donor and said that new donors are always needed. "We should not take for granted that blood will always be available in our hospitals. We rely entirely on the generosity and commitment of 100,000 regular donors. " The Minister said that hospital services could not continue without the gift of blood given voluntarily by our donor population and he paid tribute to the efforts donors have given to ensure that patients have adequate supplies of blood to ensure effective medical and surgical treatment.
Acknowledging the sponsorship of Centra and other organisations the Minister said that their involvement in this important initiative reflects a partnership between the voluntary and private sectors, which is for the benefit of patients.
Andrew Kelly, Deputy CEO of the IBTS, said that we cannot expect the 100,000 regular donors in Ireland to support the needs of an Irish population of 3.84 million people. When you consider that Peter alone needed 40 blood donors to ensure that his treatment could be undertaken, it really brings it home that Ireland does not have enough blood donors for its population and that is what this week is all about - to encourage people to join our ranks."
The IBTS estimate that there are 1.2 million people in Ireland who can give blood but who have never done so. "These are the people we want to target. People who never thought of giving blood, who never got around to it or for whatever reason just did not donate. We want them to know that young people like Caroline and Peter are alive and well today because blood donors were available when they needed them. Over 1,000 people in Ireland this week will receive a blood transfusion and there is an onus, on all of us, to ensure that blood will be available for these patients. Giving blood is a community endeavour. The IBTS cannot process or test it and hospitals cannot transfuse blood unless there are voluntary donors giving blood on a regular basis."
The Munster Rugby Team, Jack L, Mary Black, GAA players, Naimee Coleman, the Hot House Flowers, Ian Dempsey, the ERHA and the Lord Mayors of Cork and Dublin were just some of the people who are supporting Blood for Life Week.
When Irish Lice are Smiling!
Lights, camera and action...Irish school children will show their acting skills this autumn thanks to Lyclear, Irelands number one treatment for headlice. Launched today 'When Irish Lice are Smiling', a new school pack for children, highlights the issue of head lice in Irish schools. The schools pack contains a script for a twenty minute play, tips for directing and production as well as an exciting competition. Based on the well known fairy tale Rapunzel, 'When Irish Lice are Smiling' is a short drama, which aims to dispel the myths regarding head lice.
This initiative is a part of the Lyclear(tm) Schools and Consumer Education Campaign. "People don't understand head lice, what causes them, how they spread and how to treat them. We want to ensure that schools are correctly informed about head lice and that the children understand the problem', comments Michael Tease, Managing Director, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.
As a part of the initiative schools are being asked to video their performance and forward it to Lyclear(tm). The best production will win a TV and video for the school, an afternoon workshop with the Down to Earth Theatre Company for the winning class and a Brown Thomas shopping voucher for the class teacher.
Schools interested in producing 'When Irish Lice are Smiling' should send a self addressed A4 envelope to, 'When Irish Lice are Smiling', PO Box 7808, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin for a free copy of the schools pack. The closing date for entry to the competition is 28 January 2002.
It is estimated that more than half of Irish children (244,247) have suffered from head lice, with adults often acting as carriers.
Mitchell Criticises NRA
Olivia Mitchell TD Dublin South has said that the behaviour of the NRA was totally reprehensible in reneging on promises to fund ameliorating traffic measures in the wake of the opening of the Southern Cross motorway to Ballinteer.
"Prior to the opening of the motorway the clear impression was given to the Co. Council that what ever was needed to ensure the flow of traffic after the August opening would be forthcoming from the NRA. This was clearly a ploy to ensure that cautionary voices like my own would be ignored. A list of measures was submitted to the NRA which in the view of the Co, Council were absolutely necessary to prevent bottlenecks in the surrounding area during the 4 year period it will take to complete the motorway.
Now that the motorway is opened to Ballinteer they have simply walked away from those commitments and are now offering a paltry sum for minor and totally inadequate works.
The word bottleneck has taken on a whole new dimension in the Ballinteer/Dundrum/Sandyford area where every journey is now an endurance test."
"Meanwhile there are measures which the Council itself could take to minimise impacts which were totally predictable. Yellow boxes which would allow residents to exit from estates which are now fronting onto permanent traffic queues is one example. Another is the provision of some sort of traffic calming for areas which have become escape routes for drivers stuck in these traffic jams. Certainly it makes no sense to jeopardise the huge investment in the motorway in order to save a few pounds."
Daniel Supports Terry Fox Run For Cancer
Daniel O'Donnell with local organiser Maundy Lacy announcing the recent run for the Irish Cancer Society. This was held in Dún Laoghaire This was held on 14th October and started in the Deer Hunter Pub Carpark on Gleanageary Road
Cannabis should be legalised for medical purposes - Coveney
Serious consideration should be given to legalising cannabis for medicinal use, said Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney
"Trials conducted over the last number of years in the U.K. have produced very encouraging results in the relief of severe pain, muscle spasm and bladder problems associated with illnesses such as multiple sclerosis.
"We need to have a serious debate in this country on the difference between recreational drugs and those that can be used for serious medical benefit. We need to separate the use of cannabis as a recreational drug from its potential to relieve suffering from a range of illnesses such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis as well as chronic pain relief.
"Cannabis contains active ingredients called cannabinoids that can alleviate pain, reduce tremors and prevent incontinence. This extract can be administered to patients by spraying under the tongue so that it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
"Cannabis as a recreational drug should remain illegal but this should not stop its use for genuine medical treatment."
Trinity study confirming health inequalities proves need for Office of Surgeon General says Mitchell
Fine Gael spokesman on health Gay Mitchell TD has said that the findings of the Trinity College Group on Health Inequalities, confirms the research done by the ESRI and others.
"The poorer you are the younger you die. Why then did the Minister for Health extend medical cards to wealthy retired businessmen and others while leaving those on £124.50 and living alone (£101 if living with someone else) without a medical card? This happened in recent weeks and extended the apartheid ridden healthcare system which exists in the secondary health (hospitals) system into primary care (GP services).
"The health system is unfair by any objective measure. The political needs of the Minister, or the demands of medico-politics or bureaucrats have become dominant. The needs of patients, and particularly those on lower incomes, take their place in the queue.
"Fine Gael is seeking the creation of the Office of Surgeon General to put the patient first. This Office would work directly with the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children and not for the Government of the day, rather like the way the Comptroller and Auditor General works directly for the Dáil throughthe Public Accounts Committee. Patients need the independent support of a Surgeon General to rescue the health services from vested interests, including political vested interest," said Deputy Mitchell.
Sex offenders act will drive paedophiles underground
The Sex Offenders Act 2001 launched by the Justice Minister is welcome but deeply flawed in that it failed to legislate for the release of information of the names of people on the Sex Offenders Register, said Fine Gael's deputy spokesman on children, Dan Neville TD ."I am extremely concerned as the release of information on a wide scale to people who do not have a need to know has been very contentious in other jurisdictions.
"When this took place in Britain, named paedophiles left their homes, went underground and the police were no longer aware of their whereabouts. They moved elsewhere and changed their names. The result of naming them increased the danger to children rather than reducing it.
"Many people were incorrectly identified and were attacked and in one incident aprominent children's doctor in Wales had her home attacked after apparently confusing her title 'paediatrician' with 'paedophile'.
"The Act should control to whom information is released. Information should only be made available on a "need to know" basis. In the UK riots and deaths took place last year following a decision of the News of the World to publish names and photographs of those who were on the Register."
"Government has Social Responsibility to call a halt to plunder"- James Doorley, NYCI President
The National Youth Council of Ireland today launched a report on young drivers and motor insurance entitled "The Plunder Years". The report outlines the high and escalating cost of motor insurance for young drivers, details the causes and recommends a range of measures and actions that the Government must take to address the growing crisis of insurance costs, not just for young drivers but for all drivers.
While young drivers on a provisional licence have long endured high insurance premiums, the NYCI report found that young male drivers with a full licence for a number of years and a good driving record were still paying between £2000 and £3000 for third party insurance.NYCI found that a 24 year old male driver with a full licence for two years and two years' no claims bonus, living in Dublin (which has a low accident rate) was quoted £2213 to insure a 1998 Fiat Punto.
The NYCI report also found that many young drivers are forced to pay insurance premiums by instalment as a result of the high insurance costs. This form of payment incurs an interest charge of 18.6%. This has resulted in a growing number of young drivers (20%) taking out loans to pay their premiums.
In light of the fact that motor insurance costs in Ireland are almost double the EU average and are set to rise next year at four times the rate of inflation, NYCI believes that the current cost of motor insurance for youngdrivers is not justified on economic grounds.
NYCI is seeking Government action to:
* Reduce the cost of motor insurance in Ireland
* Reduce the excessive cost of motor insurance for young driversNYCI believes that the Government needs to adopt an overall strategy that address the following:
* The continuing high number of road accidents
* The high cost of claims and legal costs
* The lack of consumer information and protection
* Inadequate competition
* Lack of incentives for good driving records
* Inadequate regulation, information and research in to the insurance industryAs a demonstration of its commitment to tackling the current crisis in motor insurance NYCI is calling on the Government to abolish the 2% Government levy on all motor insurance premiums. This levy adds a further £60 for a young driver paying £3000.
NYCI is also proposing good driving record rebate. All drivers paying more than £1500 for motor insurance with an accident free record would be entitled to a rebate funded by a levy on the profits of insurance companies. This would encourage safe driving, while offering some respite to the hard-pressed young driver.
NYCI is also calling for an immediate investigation by the Competition Authority to examine the competitiveness of the insurance industry. Over the last ten years the number of active motor insurers in Ireland has reduced from 25 to 12. This has driven up prices, particularly for young drivers.
"With motor insurance prices soaring NYCI believes that Government action to address the inadequate competition, lack of consumer protection, inadequate regulation in the insurance market and the continuing high level of road accidents is urgently required. In particular the Government needs to tackle the outrageous prices. Young drivers are forced to pay for motor insurance.
Without a proper public transport system and with motor insurance being compulsory by law, young drivers are not in a position to simply take it or leave it. Government has a social responsibility to end the current exploitation of young drivers, to call a halt to the plunder", NYCI President James Doorley concluded.
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