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Fears For St Michael's Casualty Dept

Labour party deputy for Dun Laoghaire, Eamon Gilmore has called on the management of St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire and the Eastern Coast Area Health Board to make a public statement concerning the future of Accident & Emergency services at the hospital. "Since Christmas I have received a number of reports that there are plans to close the casualty department at St Michael's at night and at weekends. I have asked both the East Coast Area Health Board and St Michael's Hospital to clarify the situation but they have so far failed to do so, "Deputy Gilmore said.

"I now believe that there are plans to close the casualty department at the hospital from 8.00pm at night until 8.00 am the following morning, and also to close at weekends. I believe this because of reports which I have received from sources in the ambulance service, the hospital staff and among hospital patients," he stated.

"During the Christmas period, the East Coast area Health Board issued a directive to ambulance crews not to take accident and emergency cases to St Michael's Hospital between 8.00pm and 8.00am on weekdays and between 8.00pm on Fridays and 8.00 on Mondays. This instruction was withdrawn on New Year's Eve, but since then staff at the hospital have been told that ambulances will not be taking A&E cases to St Michael's at night from the beginning of February," Mr Gilmore claimed.

"To date, neither the hospital nor the Health Board have informed the public about their intentions. I have been told that there is a 'review' underway in relation to the A&E and emergency services at the hospital. I think that this is a code for the closure of the casualty unit. As a TD representing Dun Laoghaire, I want to make it quite clear that I will not tolerate this secretive closure of the casualty department of St Michael's."

He concluded, "I am calling on the Health Board and the Hospital Management to state fully their intentions regarding the A&E services at St Michael's. Hospital services in Dun Laoghaire, South Dublin and Wicklow are already bad enough without another closure of this kind, especially as the greater Dun Laoghaire area has a population the size of Cork."

Local Schoolboy Wins Travel Prize

Young Glen Byrne of Ballinteer, Dublin is the lucky winner of a national competition set up by Mentor Books in association with Ryanair and the Hilton Hotel group. The prize is a Ryanair flight for two people to Scotland where the Glasgow Grosvenor Hilton Hotel will provide them with a weekend break. The eight-year-old's winning entry was chosen from hundreds of others nation-wide. Dubray Books in Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, from whom the winning entry form was obtained, also receives a similar prize, and this was accepted by Olivia Clear, Manager.

Labour Will Build New Hospital At Loughlinstown Says Quinn

The Labour Party Leader, Ruairi Quinn TD, has committed the Labour Party to provide a new General Hospital at Loughlinstown, if Labour is returned to power after the next election. Mr. Quinn visited Loughlinstown Hospital recently as part of his tour of Dun Laoghaire constituency. He was accompanied by Eamon Gilmore TD, Councillor Niamh Bhreathnach and the Party's Health spokesperson, Liz McManus TD.

The Labour Leader was met by Hospital and Health Board Managers. After a walkabout in the hospital he was briefed on the plans for a new hospital. Deputy Quinn said that improvement of the health services was Labour's first priority. "Labour has produced a detailed policy for reform and improvement of the health services. This will include the building of new hospitals and the provision of additional hospital beds. The new hospital for Loughlinstown will be included in these plans."

"I recognise that there is no large general hospital between St Vincent's and Wexford. Clearly, there is a need for a new General Hospital to serve the huge population in Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire and the South Dublin suburbs. I know that the Labour representatives in Dun Laoghaire and in Wicklow have been calling for a new General hospital at Loughlinstown." "The Labour Party if it is elected to Government after the next election will work with the health Board and with the hospital to ensure that the plans for the new hospital are put in place."

Journalist Receives Legal Diploma

Catherine Mc Verry, Editor of South Dublin Life & Leisure and Commuting Times Newspapers recently was awarded a Diploma in Legal Studies from Dublin Institute of Technology. The graduation ceremony was held in St Patrick's Cathedral. Catherine is now undertaking part time studies leading to the law degree of the University of London.

'Railways Through Children's Eyes 2001'- Local Children Win Art Prizes

Dart & Suburban Rail recently invited primary schools to enter an Art Competition in conjunction with the XV111 International Arts Competition, Belgrade, Yugoslavia. The competition was open to children between the ages of 5 and 12 and entries were received from Dalkey NS Harbour Rd, Dalkey and Dominican Convent, Primary School, Dun Laoghaire.

Six prize winners were chosen from each school with 1st and 2nd prize winners chosen from amongst these. The prize winners were submitted for the competition in Belgrade. Winners of this were displayed in the Gallery of the Railway Museum, Belgrade during the months of December 2001 and January 2002. The railway Transport Enterprise 'Beograd', the Railway Publishing Company 'Zelnid' and the Railway Museum of Belgrade organised this, their 18th arts competition.

However, this was just the third time the competition had been organised on an international level- with invitations sent to national railway administrations. Competitions on the national level were organised in three countries and many railway administrations indicated their readiness to participate in the next event.

In total, 3100 works were received, by the Yugoslav organisers. This very original competition really sparked the children's imagination, and as the prizes were rail travel vouchers for trips within Ireland, it can really inspire a love of travel at an early age. No doubt this year's competition will inspire many more scenes of fantastical train travel. One of last years winners was a red train entitled, 'Train to hell!'- what would you draw?

Art Winners At St Dominic's
St Dominics' Primary School on Convent Road, Dun Laoghaire recently scored some success in the Dart Art Competition. Fifth and Sixth classes entered for the competition which was organised by teachers, Catriona Brophy and Claire Redmond. Headmistress Sister Mary Margaret and Acting Stationmaster of Dun Laoghaire Railway Station Cecily Napier, were also in attendance.

Dalkey Art Winners
Presentation of prizes to young artists at the Dalkey National School was made by Joe Beardmore, Marketing Manager Suburban Rail and Caroline Deane from Customer Services, Suburban Rail. Also in attendance were Leo Fitzgerald, Stationmaster in Bray, School Principal, Mr Salter and Senior Class teacher, Ms Joyce.

John Clarke Dun Laoghaire Depot Man

Most travellers assume that electronic rail systems such as the Dart run like clockwork. In fact , as clockwork toys were a nineteenth century invention, travellers expect that Dart trains are obviously even better than clockwork - with no signs of mechanical failure or winding down. Of course this is correct- - but what happens if there is something on the railway way lines? After all ,as the system is electrified, a bit of litter or rust on a rail can break the electrical circuit- making it impossible to run a train on that particular line. This is where Depot men like John Clarke come into play. John will know when the line is blocked as he will get a call from the control centre, as this will show up on their screens. The line will then be quickly closed while it is cleared.

However this doesn't happen too often- but passengers should remember that littering the lines creates not only an eyesore- but can really hold up their trains as well as maybe creating a potential danger! When he's not busy testing the lines, John works in the ticket office at Dun Laoghaire station. He also checks tickets and watches out for fare dodgers. John was originally a chef for ten years, but 19 months ago he decided he wanted a change of direction, and joined the Dart service.

John says, "Of course this is a totally different career- but in catering I met a lot of people and the Dart is the same and I enjoy that part of the job. I always had an interest in railways, as I grew up very close to Baldoyle station." In his spare time, John escapes from the hectic world of railways by cycling, drawing and reading.

Record Numbers Travel By Rail in 2001

More people travelled by rail in Ireland in 2001 than in any year ever before. All time record passenger numbers were recorded on Intercity, Dart and suburban services. In total 37.2 million passenger journeys were made on Iarnród Eireann's services by the end of 2001. The first full year of Dart services to Greystones and Malahide, the introduction of 26 new Dart carriages and major improvement to the Maynooth line all contributed to a dramatic increase in Dart and suburban passenger numbers. A new station also opened at Grand Canal Dock on the Dart line, early in 2002, the 30th station on the network.

The 2001 total was 26.1 million passenger journeys, up from 1999's previous high of 22.5 million. This includes 23 million Dart passenger journeys, the first time the service has carried more than 20 million passenger journeys in a year. A further 12 new Dart carriages are currently undergoing testing, and will boost Dart passenger capacity when they are introduced into service in Spring 2002. Eighty suburban railcars, the largest order of suburban carriages ever are currently under construction in Spain and will enter service in 2003 across Dublin suburban services.

Concern Over Careworkers

Care Alliance Ireland have voiced their concern about the current industrial action in some residential centres for people with an intellectual disability. This action has led to parents and other family members being given no choice but to keep their relatives at home and provide around the clock care. A Spokeswoman for Care Alliance said, "Many families are not in a position to provide full-time care, for health and other reasons. There have been distressing accounts in recent days of exhausted, stressed out parents, many of whom have had to take time off to care for their child."

She added," People with an intellectual disability are entitled to professional care, by trained dedicated staff, just as those with a physical disability are. We fully support the careworkers in their fight for equal pay with similar staff in other sectors. The work they do is vitally important to those with intellectual disability, and to their families. We urge all parties in the dispute to make every effort to resolve it immediately, for the sake of the clients and their families."

This strike has highlighted once again, the issue of health sector pay. Despite the vital role played by nursing and care workers, it has become increasingly difficult to find staff in these sectors as pay is often felt not to be equal to the responsibilities of these roles.

No New Road Projects For 2002

The effects of the national roads allocation in the December budget are only emerging now and will have catastrophic consequences for the economy, said FineGael spokeswoman on local government and housing, Olivia Mitchell TD.

"It is now clear that not a single new road project will start this year due to lack of funding. Of the 1369 kilometres of road projects planned, only 33 kilometres have been completed! The tender process for the Monasterevin, Ennis, Monaghan and Cashel projects, postponed during the dispute with farmers over compensation, cannot now be recommenced," she said.

"Without a vastly and rapidly improved road infrastructure the prospects for economic recovery are dismal. Over the past five years this government has squandered the opportunities to reduce congestion, improve transport links to the regions and vitally, to improve the competitiveness of Irish business.

"It is unthinkable that work on legendary bottlenecks like Monasterevin and vital inter-urban routes to Cork, Limerick and Derry should not proceed immediately. The 2.5 billion Euro pilfered from the Central Bank reserves, which in any event is only available on a once off basis, should be ring-fenced now for this infrastructure spending."

"The dismay and ire of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland and the Institute of Structural Engineers is entirely understandable when at the behest of the government they have spent the last number of years gearing up and importing skills to deliver on the NDP. Unfortunately, the redundancies and the loss of the skills base will not be confined to the construction industry but will be felt right through out the economy if government commitments under the NDP are not adhered to."

New Guidelines for NCT

From this month, as many drivers will discover, on turning up for their NCT, it will be harder for a car to pass the test. The status of some reasons for failing the NCT have been changed from the 'fail advisory' to the 'fail refusal' category. This means that certain defects that up until now were left to owners to remedy in their own time, must in future be put right before an NCT certificate can be issued for the car.

Minister Molloy stated in December that the change is the next step in the phased implementation of the NCT. When the test commenced in January 2000 he signalled that over time all of the reasons for failure that are set out in the NCT test manual will become reasons for the refusal of a test certificate. The change will bring the fail rate for the first test to around 60% initially, compared with an overall first test fail rate of 54% in 2000.

The Minister expects that as owners and the trade become familiar with the new requirements, the fail rate is expected to settle again in the early 50's. "I want to emphasise that the test itself is not being made more onerous nor will it add to motorist's costs", the Minister said. "The net effect from January will be that owners will have to rectify certain defects, before their NCT certificates can be issued, but the defects in question should be repaired in any event, otherwise owners could be committing an offence."

The Minister also indicated that NCT's would be initiating a public information campaign to inform owners of the new NCT arrangements. The changes cover emissions, brakes, seats, horns, windscreen wipers, and washers, mirrors, speedometer, lamps, indicators, reflectors, bodywork, tyre specification, wheels, chassis, suspension, shock absorber condition, electrical systems, fuel system and exhaust system.

"One of the personal responsibilities of motorists for road safety is to ensure that their cars are road worthy and the NCT can make an important contribution to that," the Minister concluded.

Concerns For Amenity Land

Progressive Democrats Councillor, Fiona O'Malley has called on Dun Laoghaire County Council to transfer all lands subject to deeds of dedications as a matter of urgency. Referring to lands in Leopardstown, Cllr. O'Malley today criticised the Dun Laoghaire county council for not copper-fastening title to its lands.

Cllr. O'Malley said she was very concerned that amenities enjoyed by local people were at high risk in the absence of secured title. Cllr. O'Malley cited the application of developers for planning permission for a residential development in Leopardstown. According to Cllr. O'Malley, local residents in Leopardstown Oaks, Gardens and Leopardstown Grove are astonished that the park they have enjoyed for years is now the subject of an application for planning permission.

This park was dedicated to the County Council in 1992, but for some reason the Deed of Transfer was not completed" said Cllr. O'Malley, "this effectively means that the council does not have proper title to the land, and has left the door somewhat open to developers to claim title to this land and make an application to develop the site".

"I want to reassure local residents that the current Zoning on this site does not permit development so I have no doubt the application will fail. I will be fighting tooth and nail to see that it does", continued Cllr. O'Malley.

" I have put down a motion calling on the council to take steps to complete the transfer of title on all lands which have been dedicated to the council to secure their continuance as a public amenity", she said. "It is appalling that local communities might loose amenities due to the County Council's own negligence".

Sixty Killed In accidental Fires

The National Safety Council is urging householders to check for fire hazards, install smoke alarms and plan an evacuation drill - immediately, not later.

Total fire deaths last year rose to a sixteen year high, an increase of 23% on the previous year. The home- the place where one should feel safest- actually accounted for 90% of all fatalities.

"The top three areas of origin for house fires remain the kitchen, the bedroom and the living room," said Council Chief Executive Pat Costello." Most fires occur in the dead of night making smoke alarms an essential early warning device. We are asking people to make it a priority to check and if necessary replace smoke alarm batteries."

Last year, 40% of fire deaths occurred during January, February and March and older people living alone in rural areas accounted for the greatest number of victims.

Making Your Vote Count

"Democracy is completely unworkable- except when compared to everything else"- said elder statesman Winston Churchill and in many ways this is true.

Despite all the puzzling complications of the electoral system here, your vote really does count. However many people are confused to how to register in the first place- or how to cast their vote. As a general election is most likely to occur this May, it's well to check out those details now.

In order to be able to vote at an election or referendum, a person's name must be entered on the register of electors for the locality in which the elector ordinarily resides. Registration authorities (county councils and city corporations) prepare and publish a register of electors every year. The register is compiled in November and comes into force on 15th February and is used at each election and referendum held in the succeeding 12 months.

The conditions for registration are: A person must be at least 18 years of age on the day the register comes into force (15th February). Every resident aged 18 and upwards is entitled to be on the register.

While every adult resident is entitled to be registered, the registration authority needs to know a person's citizenship because this determines the elections at which a person may vote. The qualifying date for citizenship is the 1st September preceding the coming into force of the register. The right to vote is as follows:

Irish citizens may vote at every election and referendum;
British citizens may vote at Dáil, European and local elections;
Other EU citizens may vote at European and local elections;
Non-EU citizens may vote at local elections only.

A person must be ordinarily resident at the address in question on 1st September preceding the coming into force of the register. A person may be registered for one address only. If a person has more than one address, the registration authority should be told which address the person wishes to be registered for.

During the Autumn the registration authority carries out house-to-house enquiries for the purpose of preparing the register. The draft register is published on 1st November and is made available for examination at post offices, public libraries, Garda stations, courthouses and local authority offices. The public are invited to check the draft to make sure that they are correctly registered. Any errors or omissions in the draft should be brought immediately to the attention of the registration authority. The final register is published on 1st February and comes into force for a year on 15th February.

Registration authorities also prepare a postal voters list as part of the register of electors. Applications for inclusion in the list must be received by 25th November. An elector registered as a postal voter may vote by post only and may not vote at a polling station.

Registration authorities also prepare a list of special voters comprising electors with a physical illness or disability living in hospitals, nursing homes who wish to vote at these locations. Applications to be entered on the special voters list must be made by 25th November and - in the case of a first application - must be accompanied by a medical certificate. Electors on the special voter's list vote at the place where they are residing by marking a ballot paper delivered to them by a special presiding officer accompanied by a Garda.

What many voters do not realise is, even if they were not included in the register in November, they can still apply to their County Council to be registered on the Supplement to the register.

If a person is not included in the register of electors currently in force but considers that he/she qualifies for registration, the person may apply for entry in a supplement to the register which is published prior to polling day at each election and referendum. In order to qualify, a person must meet the requirements in relation to residence and age. To be eligible for inclusion in the supplement, a person must:

• Have attained 18 years;
• Be ordinarily resident at the address at which he/she wishes to be registered; and
• Not be already registered as an elector at any other address.

( However this will change on the 15th February this year. Before then if you changed address you could not immediately ask to be put on the register for your new polling station, but you would have had to vote at your old one, until the new register was compiled the following November. From 15th February this year, a change of address is now a reason to be put on the supplementary register.)

Application for entry in the supplement must be received by the registration authority at least 15 working days before polling day in order to be considered for that election or referendum.

The latest date for receipt of supplement applications by registration authorities before a poll is the date of dissolution of the Dáil in the case of a general election and the date of the order appointing polling day in the case of a Dáil bye-election or a Presidential, European or local election or referendum. However, an application can be made at any time the elector is eligible for entry on the supplementary register .

Inspecting The Register Of Electors

Any person may inspect the register or draft register during working hours at the offices of the registration authority or the county registrar and at public libraries, post offices and Garda stations. A copy of the register, or extracts, may be purchased from the registration authority for a fee of fifty pence for the first hundred names, plus ten pence for each subsequent hundred names.

You may have only one vote- but it's up to you to make it count.

Despite these prosperous times, many people are still concerned about major issues such as housing, education and Healthcare.

Councillor Barry Andrews

Councillor Barry Andrews who is running for election to the Dail in the forthcoming election believes his background leaves him well suited to understand and deal with the issues involved. Mr Andrews began his career as a secondary school teacher and strongly believes in increasing access to third level education. He then qualified as a barrister and over the past few years has set about developing his political career. Since 1999 he has served as a Fianna Fail Councillor on Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council.

His life-long interest in politics has been inspired by his father, the well known politician David Andrews. Councillor Andrews, through his work on the Council has also been deeply involved in local issues. He has welcomed the decision to find an educational use for Blackrock VEC. He says, "People have voiced concerns regarding parking difficulties- however any use for this building will create parking concerns. Students are less likely to have cars and will create less of these problems. Some people have said the Blackrock Town hall should become a community centre. However it should be remembered that a new community centre is also being built, just up the road." Councillor Andrews had also supported plans to preserve Dun Laoghaire baths.

On the current pressing problem of housing he says," We have to do all we can to improve this situation. One measure which would help is to ensure that developers do allocate 20 % of new developments to social housing."

Senator Liam Cosgrave

Senator Liam Cosgrave has now spent twenty years in public service with the Dail, the Seanad and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council. He is currently Leas-Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and continues to serve with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council. Senator Cosgrave has also been selected to run for election to the Dail in May.

Senator Cosgrave says he is pleased to see the large number of new developments in the locality but he is also well aware of the huge problems Ireland's boom has caused especially in the area of housing- something his party, Fine Gael is keen to address. Senator Cosgrave says that housing is the issue that is most important to constituents at the moment. He says,

"It is important that something is done to make it easier for people to buy housing. The amount of stamp duty being paid is an issue which must be looked at. Fine Gael will be proposing a package of measures which we hope will make things easier, especially for first time buyers."

Senator Cosgrave is also keenly aware that another issue of immense concern to most people is health. To this end, he recently stated that a radical re-think on the health service is needed. He said "What we clearly have is a lethal combination of poor administration, vested interests and inefficient allocation of resources. Add to this the total inertia of government and you have a lethal cocktail. All you have to do is ask those who know best -the country's nurses. Money spent on health must be well spent. There is no evidence that this the case at the moment."

Further information on election enquiries can be obtained from:
Franchise Section, Department of the Environment and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1
Telephone: 679 3377, e-mail: press-office@environ.irlgov.ie
or Contact Dun Laoghaire Council to check your name is on the register of electors at:-
Telephone: 205 4700 or at www.dlrcoco.ie

Councillor advises the public to return all unused punt cheques

Councillor Gerry Breen today advised anyone with unused punt cheques and cheque books to return them to the issuing bank and to obtain a refund of the seven pence stamp duty charged on each cheque to their account when the cheques were issued. The banks have to refund this stamp duty and it is advisable that individuals and indeed businesses return these unused cheques as soon as possible" Breen concludes.

 

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