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Criminal Sanctions For Irresponsible Travellers After Asbestos Dumping
Olivia Mitchell TD, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Local Government and Housing has expressed outrage at the destruction of the St Olaf’s GAA pitches which was caused by the recent invasion of travellers.
She said," The behaviour of these travellers who have wrought havoc in Rathfarnham, Firhouse and now in Sandyford is completely unacceptable and indefensible. The legislation which protects and condones this flagrant disregard of the litter laws and of the rights of other members of the community must be changed otherwise travellers will never attain the kind of change in public attitudes that their ‘Citizen Traveller’ campaign seeks to effect."
She added," It is very difficult to justify charging pensioners for a small weekly waste collection when some sections of the community can dump tons of waste on public land with apparent complete immunity. It is utterly demoralising to communities to work and fundraise for years to build up and develop their pitches and their clubs to find them trashed in a few short weeks."
Olivia Mitchell concluded," This behaviour is also totally anti-productive to the traveller’s cause, and the biggest losses are the poorer sections of the travelling community who are in genuine need of accommodation. Anyone viewing the mounds of rubbish left at Firhouse would be very reluctant to accept the kind of guarantees Councils are offering communities about the management of proposed official halting sites."
"Efforts to provide accommodation to travellers who really are in need of housing are also jeopardised by court action being taken on behalf of this same group of traders. In a court case, now postponed until October, the validity of the one mile ‘exclusion zone’ around official halting sites is being challenged. This offered protection from illegal halting sites for communities accepting and supporting official traveller accommodation in their area. If this guarantee is removed, and even while it is under challenge, it will be impossible for an urban local authority to build or even plan for traveller accommodation."
This concern was also voiced by Frank Lahiffe, Special Advisor to Seamus Brennan's office. Frank Lahiffe said, "The travellers who moved onto pitches at St Olaf's and previously at St Enda's pitch in Ballyboden are doing so for economic reasons."
"Their vehicles have number plates which are from outside the county and often from outside Ireland. Local Councils are obliged to provide halting sites for travellers within their areas but what responsibility do they have for those outside the area? The St Enda's site was left with a great deal of rubbish which is being cleared at taxpayers expense. Asbestos was discovered dumped at St Enda's- and the work of clearing has had to be stopped while specialists come in to move this safely."
Frank Lahiffe stated, "There are many people within the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area who are settled travellers. What is causing problems is people moving quickly from place to place for economic reasons and leaving a huge mess behind them." "Trespass is currently a civil offence and is designed primarily to deal with people who are in transit across the land of another person- these laws are not designed to deal with people taking up residence on land."
"Mr Brennan( Minister of State to the Taoiseach and local TD) has proposed a change in the current legislation to the Minister for Justice. This would make certain categories of trespass, such as illegally taking up residence on land in the manner of these travellers, a criminal offence. Therefore the gardai would be able to move more quickly. As it is private land owners currently have to apply for a High Court order costing thousands of pounds to evict travellers."
Frank Lahiffe added," Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council is currently considering new locations for more halting sites."
ECAHB Urges INO to Suspend Industrial Action at St Colmcilles
The East Coast Area Health Board today called on the Irish Nurses Organisation to suspend their planned industrial action by theatre nurses at St Colmcilles Hospital, Loughlinstown. The INO have given notice that theatre nurses will no longer work on-call at the hospital from Monday, 23rd July, 2001. Consequently, no surgical procedures will be possible at the hospital after 4.30pm each day.
The INO is seeking an increase in the on-call pay rate for theatre nurses in the hospital and the board has responded with a generous package of measures for nurses providing on-call services in excess of the standard rota. This offer was recommended for acceptance by the Labour Court.
The current position being pursued by the INO would in effect be a renegotiation of the national nursing on-call rate and the board, although anxious to find a solution , is not empowered to negotiate national rates.
The ECAHB has already made a generous offer to theatre nurses in St Colmcilles and this was recognised as such by the Labour Court who recommended that the INO accept it. The Board would urge the INO, even at this late stage, to defer their industrial action and to work with the board towards a speedy, fair and workable solution to this matter. In the meantime, the Board has planned contingency measures to ensure patient safety and to minimise disruption to services at the hospital. Surgical accident and emergency admissions in the evening time will be diverted to neighbouring hospitals for the duration of this dispute.
The Board requests that members of the public who wish to attend the Accident and Emergency Department in the hospital should only do so where absolutely necessary and should consult with their GP in the first instance. The Board regrets any disruption to its services and discomfort to the public during this dispute and is working towards a swift resolution of this matter.
Helpline For Leaving Cert Students
The Minister for Education and Science, Dr Michael woods TD, has now launched the National Parents Council ( Post Primary) Leaving Certificate Helpline. It will enable students to have access to information and advice from qualified Guidance Counsellors. The Helpline will be available for three days following the issue of the leaving Certificate results and a further three days when offers of third level places are made.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Woods said," With Leaving Certificate results now only three weeks away, thousands of students are still uncertain about which careers or courses they will follow. It also depends on the points and offers they will get. Mid August will be a difficult time for many. Thankfully the number and variety of courses on offer is greater than ever before in our history. Still the final choice can be difficult. But help will be available through qualified guidance Counsellors who will provide personal and confidential information and advice."
The Minister said that, "The National Parent's Council helpline, supported by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors provides highly valuable support many students in deciding on their best options once they receive their results." This year he is providing over £5000 to the Parent's Council to provide two extra Counsellors to enhance the Helpline.
Dr Woods paid tribute to the excellent work done by the National Parent's Council ( Post Primary). Some forty members of the Institute will be involved in dealing with calls. The Minister said that this year, for the first time ever, Leaving Certificate Students will have the option of obtaining their examination results through the Internet. This initiative builds on the hugely successful automated Dial- Up system introduced last year, which was used by 24,000 students. This service will be continued this year in addition to the new Internet service. Students will be able to access their results on either the dial-up facility or the Internet by using a Pin number and their Examination Number. results will also be available through schools in the normal way.
Both of the new services will be operating from 12.00 noon on the day the results are issued, Wednesday 15th August 2001. The Internet address for access to results is
www.examinations.ie details of the dial-Up facility are: Calls from within the Republic of Ireland 1530 719 290, Calls from outside the Republic of Ireland 003531- 7096646
Dun Laoghaire's 10th Song Contest
The naval ship, Le Emer sailed in to Dun Laoghaire on Sunday 22nd to host a press reception where the 12 finalists in this year's Song Contest were announced. The harbour provided a wonderful backdrop to the evening. A galaxy of stars from the entertainment world mingled with the finalists who travelled from all over the country to be part of the gathering. Songwriters are always ambitious to qualify for this contest, as there is a very valuable prize fund on offer. The winner will receive £3000 presented by IMRO along with the First Active Waterford crystal trophy. In addition, Trend Studios will sponsor 500 CD's of the winning song. The second placed song will receive £1000 from IMRO and the First Active Waterford crystal Trophy along with 500 CD's of the song, generously sponsored by Trend Studios- a very attractive prize for the runner up song. Each qualifier will receive a cheque for £100 and a trip for a car and five passengers on the HSS Stena High Speed Ferry, along with a fabulous Waterford crystal Vase, presented by First Active.
ASCI ( Association of Song writers and Composers of Ireland) will on the night, present the ASCI trophy and a cheque for £100 to the song of their choice. A most important aspect of qualifying for this contest is the fact that it is recorded by RTE radio One for transmission on Monday 27th August at 10.02 PM, in the 'In Concert' slot. This will bring finalists to a world-wide audience, via satellite from Ireland.
The contest will take place on Sunday 29th July in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire with compere Larry Gogan For further information contact June Mc Donnell Tel 086-8032414
New Rector Comes To Stillorgan & Blackrock
Friday 6th July was a special day for the parishioners of St Brigid's Church Stillorgan, and All Saints Church, Blackrock, as the Reverend Ian Gallagher was instituted as their new rector at a service in St Brigid's Church, Stillorgan at 8.00 pm. The Archbishop of Dublin Dr Walton Empey presided. Special guests included clergy of other denominations in the area and local public representatives. A large contingent also came from Sligo where Ian was Rector of Drumcliffe and Lissadell and also Sligo Man Of The Year in 1999.
After the service there was a reception in the adjoining Parish Centre where the rector was formally welcomed to the area. A native of Derry, Ian worked in sales and management before being ordained in 1990. He spent two years as curate of Cootehill before moving to Sligo. He and his wife Hillary, have two sons, Brian, who recently sat the Leaving Certificate and James who did the Junior Certificate Examination in June.
Ian says of his new appointment," I am delighted with the move. My family and I are looking forward to living in South County Dublin and getting to know and working with the parishioners of Stillorgan and Blackrock."
Open Air Art Exhibition at Airfield
Airfield Trust at Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum, will be holding an Open-air Art Exhibition (Merrion Square style) over two weekends in August - Sat 11th / Sun 12th and Sat 18th / Sun 19th with the opening hours Saturdays; 10am – 4pm, and Sundays; 12pm – 4pm.
Sponsored by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, the exhibition will feature the work of artists living in the area. For artists interested in exhibiting, application forms are available at the Centre or on the website. For further information: Tel: (01) 298 4301 E-mail:
art@airfield.ie Website: www.airfield.ie
Marlay House- An Inspirational Experience
Marlay House Initiative Ltd is a company set up to create a unique learning and lifestyle centre incorporating Marlay House, the walled gardens, craft courtyard and the entire ensemble of leisure, sporting and entertainment facilities into a haven for the mind, beauty to the eye and a shopping muse.
The four directors of Marlay Initiative have a wealth of experience and knowledge: Eamonn Cunningham, Chief Executive of The Irish Tabletop group, Lisa Cunningham, Eamonn’s sister, MD of Vogue Business Development, specialising in Marketing and PR, Mark Hally, who has ten years experience in Leisure and Event Management, and Grainne Mc Loughlin, whose background is in Retail and Hotel Management.
The overall unique concept will present a host of activities, meeting corporate needs, individual pursuits and family entertainment. The original Boland’s House has been restored to its initial state and has been transformed into The Walled Garden Gift Centre, where a wide range of gifts are available seven days a week. It is situated at the entrance to the Regency Walled Gardens, which boasts magnificent plant life and architectural and live animal features throughout. It is open every day until the end of September.
Since the house has been restored to its classical elegance, it will play host to numerous events- from conferences to classical music, weddings, meetings, banqueting and corporate entertainment. Marlay House will facilitate, appreciate and invite Heritage, Arts and Culture related forums with the ultimate aim of becoming a centre of interactive learning, leisure and business activities.
Marlay House is a truly unique location, where cosmopolitan tranquillity meets the grace of historical splendour. "In essence we are merging the future of the individual and corporate learning, leisure and entertainment with the elegance and grace of a bygone era," says Lisa Cunningham. Marlay Initiative can be contacted at 4937372.
Brennan Confirms new Luas Development
Local T.D and Minister of State to the Taoiseach, Seamus Brennan has confirmed a decision to set up an interim board for the Railway Procurement Agency with immediate effect. The decision will ensure that the Luas project remains fully on target for opening between Sandyford and St Stephen's Green in 2003/2004. The necessary legislation for the new agency passed all stages in Seanad Eireann in May and is scheduled for early enactment.
Dun Laoghaire For Tidy Towns
Dun Laoghaire Tidy Towns Committee has entered Dun Laoghaire into the Tidy Town Competition for the ninth year running.. Chairperson Stephanie Batt said,"We have had some regional success and despite recent road works in the town, we have increased our marks steadily each year. We hope to continue this trend, and we urge all residents and traders alike to play their part in keeping Dun Laoghaire beautiful, clean and litter free. " she concluded." We can do this by showing example and 'keeping our own patch' neat and tidy and by complying with the law, we can help to promote awareness of Dun Laoghaire as a litter free zone."
Conservation Plan For Fitzsimons Wood
At this month's meeting of the County Council, Councillor Maria Corrigan proposed an amendment to a proposed rezoning to ensure that Fitzsimons Wood, an area of natural heritage would be preserved. She said,"The parcel of land proposed for re-zoning lies south of Fitzsimons Wood. The wood is regarded as the best example in County Dublin of spontaneous woodland on acid soil. A report prepared by residents at their own expense indicates that if we proceed with re-zoning, the survival of this precious area will be compromised.If resident's groups felt strongly enough about this proposed rezoning to make a submission, then greater consideration should be given to their views ."
Tánaiste Presents Microsoft Certificates At Rehabilitation Hospital
Tánaiste Mary Harney recently made the inaugural presentation of Microsoft qualifications to 10 members of the Spinal Injuries Action Association of Ireland. The SIAA, through it’s relationship with Microsoft , has established the first MOUS (Microsoft Office User Specialist) training centre at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire.
Call For Improvement to Roads Before M50 Opens
Fine Gael spokeswoman on Local Government and Housing Olivia Mitchell TD has said that just as invitations to the opening of the M50 to Ballinteer were being issued it has emerged that funding to prepare local roads for the additional traffic would not be forthcoming. "It now emerges that the National Roads Authority will not fund local road improvements despite the fact that they are essential to the operation of the Motorway." she said "We will not see the full impact until September or October but it is a certainty that not alone will this cause a backup of traffic on the Motorway itself but will make life unbearable for those living and working in the Sandyford Road area. It will then be obvious that improvements at the bottlenecks at the IMI and at the entrance to the industrial estate are critical and this work which should be done now in the summer months, in the absence of the Motorway traffic."
An Post Award For Young Dalkey Writer
Phoebe Collison ( 11) a pupil at Loreto Dalkey Primary School, Dalkey Co Dublin, recently received one of An Post's 2001 National Education Awards for writing skills at a special reception in the GPO, Dublin. Phoebe's prize consisted of a family holiday in Killykeen Forest chalets, Co Cavan, a bicycle and a crystal trophy.
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