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Tuesday, 19 March, 2002
Donate Your Unwanted Spectacles
Many people who are holding onto old pairs of prescription glasses do not realise that many opticians will accept these, to be donated to third world charities. Charities such as Vision Aid Overseas have been organising schemes like this for many years now. Donated glasses are checked by opticians who classify and label the strength of the lenses before they are packed off. At the moment all 17 branches of Specsavers in Ireland are running this appeal.
Concerns Regarding Illegal Dumping
Olivia Mitchell, T.D., Fine Gael Frontbench Spokesperson on Local Government and Housing said the 28 illegal dumping sites in South Dublin are merely the tip of the iceberg of waste being disposed of in an unscrupulous manner
"If we are serious about controlling and managing waste then Councils must be researched to enforce new environmental standards.
Confusion Re Morning After Pill Says Keogh
Fine Gael Senator Helen Keogh said that the position in relation to the 'morning after pill' is 'totally confused in the public mind'.
She stated, "Although technically the use of the 'morning after pill' is perfectly legitimate and should be expressly allowed, no provision has been made to license 'Levonelle' which would be an option for many women. What is in use at the moment is a high dose of a regular contraceptive, it can cause nausea and vomiting and is not suitable for many women. The Medicines Board has no application before it to license 'Levonelle' at the moment.
"Legal advice sought by the Irish Medicines Board late last year contradicted the existing opinion to the Board that the 'morning after pill' is an abortificiant but no moves to implement that opinion have as yet been made."
Earthwatch Welcomes Plastic Bag Tax
From March 4th 2002, an environmental levy will be charged, at 15 cent per bag, on plastic shopping bags. This levy is being introduced to reduce the huge number of plastic shopping bags used every day that cause litter in our towns, in the countryside and along our coastline.
O’Malley Condemns Alleged Sinn Fein Support For Garda Murderers
Fiona O'Malley said, "I am outraged that an elected member of Dail Eireann should advocate sheltering murderers of Gardai. During an interview with Vincent Brown, Deputy Caoimhghin O’Caolain of Sinn Fein refused to urge members of the public to come forward if they possess information about the murder of Gardai by republicans or about illegal IRA arms dumps.
New Figures Confirm Under Age Drinking Not Being Tackled in Dublin
"Dublin has the worst prosecution record on underage drinking in the country" said Roisin Shortall last week. Garda figures released this week to Raisin Shortall T.D. indicate a major failure to enforce under-age drinking laws in the Dublin area.
Between the introduction of the Intoxicating Liquor Act in June 2000 and February 2002, 103 convictions were secured by Gardaí nation-wide against off-licences, shops and pubs who illegally sold alcohol to minors. ? Only two of these have so far been secured in Dublin. By contrast Gardaí in Mayo have taken 23 prosecutions and in all 23 cases a conviction was secured.
Hanafin Hosts First Comhairle na nOg
Following the successful first Dáil na nOg held in September, the Minister for Children, Mary Hanafin TD last week held the first Comhairle na nOg ( Children's' Council) for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Development Board.
The Comhairle na nOg had two purposes: To give children a voice in their local community in line with the first goal of the National Children's Strategy and to select five local delegates for the next Dáil na nOg in the autumn.
Up to 100 children between the ages of 9 and 17 attended the Comhairle na nOg. Every school in the area was asked to send delegates and delegates were also invited from minority groups such as asylum seekers, the travelling community, children with disabilities and early school leavers. The ISPCC aided Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Development Board in the organisation of this event.
Tanaiste Responds To Latest CSO Figures
Reacting to the latest figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) Mary Harney, Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment said that the increase in unemployment was not unexpected. She pointed out that the unemployment rate remains low at 4% and is still among the lowest in the EU with long-term unemployment at 1.2%.
Ireland Live Television Launches In Dublin
Ireland Live Television News, a new digital television channel aimed at the global market, will be officially launched in late February, in Dublin with a live broadcast by An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, TD.
Trial Vote In Dáil Using New Electronic Voting System
An Electronic Voting system has been installed in Dáil Eireann as part of a comprehensive package of reforms of the workings of the Dáil parliamentary system. In advance of this system going live for parliamentary votes a trial vote using the electronic system was conducted in the Dáil Chamber immediately after the conclusion of Official Business on Wednesday 27th February at approximately 8.30 p.m.Members of the Dáil were asked to vote Tá or Nil to the question: "Should Dublin have two Gaelic football teams"?
Local Groups Eligible For New ER 1.2m Combat Poverty Agency Grants Scheme
The Combat Poverty Agency has announced details of a new EUR 1.2million grants scheme for locally based community and voluntary groups. The scheme, 'Working Against Poverty', will run over three years from 2002 - 2004 and is designed to assist these groups contribute to policy formulation on anti-poverty issues. Announcing details of the scheme, Ms Helen Johnston, Director of Combat Poverty, said: "Community and voluntary groups learn a great deal from their work about how best to tackle poverty. Their experience and expertise has a lot to offer policy makers seeking to tackle the causes and effects of poverty."
EU Statistics Show Governments Real Achievement Has Been to Drive Down Anti-Poverty Spending
Speaking recently in Brussels, Dublin Labour MEP said," The Governments latest anti-poverty strategy report, Building an Inclusive Society, launched today by the Taoiseach should be seen in the context that EU statistics clearly show that spending on social protection in Ireland has been falling dramatically during this Governments term of office."
Hockey Facts
• Ireland actually won a silver medal in men's hockey in the 1908 Olympic games.
• The Irish Hockey Association is at www.hockey.ie or telephone number: 2600028
• Useful hockey sites are:
Field hockey- www.fieldhockey.com
Field hockey foundation- www.fieldhockeytournament.com
Hockey Net- www.empresa.co.uk/hockeynet
Hockey Player Magazine - www.hockeyplayer.com
National Hockey League- www.nhl.com
• Ice Hockey( an off shoot of the field game ) has swifter action than almost any other sport. As the players streak across the ice, their powerful shots and passes often send the puck travelling faster than 100 miles (160 kilometres) per hour. To keep the action fast, ice hockey has an unusual rule. It is the only major sport that allows players to be substituted while play is in progress. For more information contact:
International Ice Hockey Federation- www.iihf.com
Dalkey Ladies Hockey Club Back In Business
Dalkey Ladies Hockey Club is back in business and is still one of the most enthusiastic and best of the local clubs. Dalkey Ladies Hockey Club was originally set up, in 1981, as an informal team to facilitate school leavers eager to continue playing hockey. The club continued to expand and became a successful team in the Leinster League, after first joining the league in 1982.
Few people realise just how many people play hockey in this country ñ nor in fact how good Ireland is at the sport, both in men's and women's hockey. Ireland has sent teams to the Olympics and to the World Cup, hosting the Women's World Cup here in Dublin.
Rathmichael School Flys The Green Flag
Congratulations are due to Rathmichael Parish NS. who had their Green Flag renewed at an awards ceremony in Dublin recently. The ceremony was attended by artist Don Conroy who also launched An Taisce's new video 'Green Schools in Ireland', which is to be distributed to every school in the State.
Green Schools is a European environmental education programme and award scheme that promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole-school action for the environment. There are 950 Irish schools currently participating in the programme.
Keogh Welcomes Dun Laoghaire 'No' Vote As Highest In The Country
Dun Laoghaire Senator, Helen Keogh (Fine Gael) has welcomed the fact that the constituency of Dun Laoghaire has returned the highest 'No' vote in the country with a massive 31,476 (68.23%) votes against the government's referendum. 14,653 people voted in favour. "Yet again, Dun Laoghaire has shown itself to be a decisive constituency in national referendums and has substantially rejected the government's proposal," said Senator Keogh.
"Dun Laoghaire is the constituency that has witnessed the trail of thousands of women every year leaving the country from this port to travel to the UK for abortions. We must remember that reducing the number of women who take this tragic route annually is an absolute priority."
Closure Of 'Early Days' Créche On Clonkeen Road
Councillor Barry Andrews has criticised An Bord Pleanalaís decision to refuse planning permission for a crèche on Clonkeen Road. The parents and staff of the Crèche organised a protest on Saturday following its closure last Friday which was attended by Councillor Andrews.
"The real problem with this situation is the awarding of temporary planning permissions. It is vital for any commercial entity to have certainty in its affairs whereas temporary permissions cast a permanent cloud."
Clonkeen College Aids Ethiopian Schools
A unique and inventive scheme has offered the opportunity for ordinary students and teachers to embark on the trip of a lifetime to Africa. The aim of the programme is to show individuals involved in fund-raising what the money is used for. Schools from all over Ireland ( Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Carlow) took part in the 2002 trip, which saw a team of 15 travel to Ethiopia. Organised by Self help International( SHDI), the scheme is still in it's infancy, but it's fruits are already clear to see.
Clonkeen College sent two students and a teacher on the week long trip, the culmination of months of intensive fund-raising. The efforts included a well established annual Xmas quiz, bag packing, a Christmas Eve feast and a Grafton Street collection. Over 4000 Euros was raised and more is on the way.
Rare Art pieces for Local Art Exhibition
A number of rare Mac Gonical pieces of art not seen publicly for over 30 years - will be the centre-piece 'Special Exhibit' at the Oireachtas na Gaeilge Annual Art Exhibition, which opened in the County Hall, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin on March 12th.
Of the 700 pieces of art submitted to the Oireachtas na Gaeilge Art Committee for consideration to be amongst the 100 chosen exhibits, a number of leading Irish artists will have their work shown, and may be amongst the top those who will be receiving this year's five coveted Oireachtas Art Awards.
Are You Registered To Vote?
Barry Andrews has called on more young people to get involved in politics saying, "The last General Election was five years ago, which means that no one under the age of 23 has ever voted in a General Election. Furthermore, it is estimated that up to 50% of 18 -30 year olds did not vote in that election. The election before that was in 1992 which would tend to suggest that roughly 75% of 18-30 year olds have never voted in a general election."
New Hospice For Blackrock
Senator Cosgrave has heartily welcomed the news from the Eastern Regional Health Authority that a new hospice facility is being established in Blackrock. The new facility will be set up through a partnership between Our Lady's Hospice and the East Coast Area Health Board and will also serve the palliative care needs of the Dun Laoghaire area.
Senator Cosgrave said that he has been informed by the Eastern Regional Health Authority that a project team has already been put in place to oversee the development of this facility. He said that the establishment of this hospice facility is welcomed and badly needed in the area and he hopes that it will happen swiftly and without any unreasonable delays.
Mountwood Resource Centre Building Stalled
The building of a new resource centre in Mountwood is being held up by official confusion over it's funding. Marion White of the Mountwood Fitzgerald Park Community Development project says,
"We've been running a resource centre in an old block of flats for many years now. We provide important services here such as a crèche, after school homework club and a centre for women's education. We had already drawn up plans with the Council for a new centre and this has planning permission. However we have been offered funding from the Department of Justice under an equal opportunity scheme to fund childcare. We have also been offered some funding from the Department of the Environment."
Local Church Of Ireland Priest Publishes Memoirs
Monkstown resident, Reverend Patrick Semple is a semi-retired Church of Ireland priest who has turned to writing. His latest book, 'Believe it Not" is a straight talking, honest and often humorous insider account of growing up in the Church of Ireland, of becoming a priest and of his years of ministry. Born in Wexford town in 1939, his early memories were of the occasional German planes flying overhead, fair days, valve radios and ponies and traps. Most families were church going, as were his. Without sentimentalising his school days, Patrick Semple describes a childhood where relations with Catholic neighbours were warm and friendly, but at the end of the day, all Protestants were going to hell!
Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Station Saves Diver
Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat launched on service at 02.32 last Friday morning to assist a diver who suffered crush injuries whilst working on the seabed on a sewage pipeline close to Dublin Port.
First aid was provided to the man onboard the crane barge Jimmy Mac before he was transferred to the Lifeboat who arrived on scene within ten minutes of launching. The man was brought ashore at Dublin Port and then transferred to hospital by a waiting ambulance. The Lifeboat returned to station at 03.30. am
Circus Field Is Safe
Fears that Booterstown Circus Field was in danger from developers, can be put to rest says Councillor Niamh Bhreathnach. Councillor Bhreathnach said "The Council will not now seek to dispose of the field to a local business. In answer to a question tabled by me the Manager has replied that there has been a change of mind and that in the light of opposition, it has been decided not to proceed with this disposal. "Niamh Bhreathnach concluded, "Local residents are very pleased. It had been their stated position, through their organisation, Combined Booterstown Residents' Association , that they were opposed to giving away any public space, especially as the future viability of the circus could be threatened as a consequence."
Poetry Now Festival 2002 Dun Laoghaire
The annual Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Poetry Now Festival will take place on the weekend of March 21st-24th, with the majority of events this year being held in the Pavilion Theatre. Now in its seventh year, Poetry Now is the only remaining festival devoted solely to poetry. In recent years it has gained a considerable reputation for bringing together for one weekend some of the very best Irish and international poets writing today.
End Child Exploitation Says Trocaire
Thanks to the support of the people of Dublin last year, Trocaire funded 476 vital development projects in 52 of the world's poorest countries. This year Trocaire is raising awareness of the plight of child soldiers world-wide. The child on the Trocaire Lenten box is a former child soldier from Sierra Leone. Trocaire wants the Irish Government to support international efforts to ban the use of children as soldiers.
More than 300,000 children - some as young as seven years old - are forced to fight with armies and militia in over 30 countries. About 250 million children between the ages of five and 14 work. Of these, about 80 million are trapped in the worst forms of child labour where their lives are put at risk every single day.
Road fatalities Already Number 82
A plea for safe driving over St Patrick's Weekend has been made, due to the high number of fatalities which have occurred already this year. Last year due to travel restrictions caused by FMD there were no fatalities over St Patrick's' weekend. Aidan Cassells, Executive Director of AXA, the country's largest motor insurer has appealed for the same fatality free holiday this year. He said" It is possible to have a bank holiday free of tragedy." He urged motorists to slow down, always wear a seatbelt and never, ever, drink and drive. Always see children are secured and check tyres, oil and water before departure. He said, "Last year 411 people were killed and 12,000 injured, many of whom will require care for the rest of their lives. AXA has an on-going commitment to safer driving best seen in it's sponsorship of hard hitting TV advertisements which highlight the dangers of dangerous driving.
Donate Computer Time To Find A Cancer Cure
Mothers and girlfriends who continually complain that the young men in their lives are too busy with their 'useless toys' of computers will find a new University research Website intriguing.
Anyone, anywhere with access to a personal computer, could help find a cure for cancer by giving 'screensaver time' from their computers to the world's largest ever computational project, which will screen 3.5 billion molecules for cancer-fighting potential.
More Controls Needed On Taxi Drivers
As 20% of taxi applicants last year had criminal convictions, a new act is urgently needed says Olivia Mitchell. A new Public Service Vehicle Act to improve taxi safety is urgently needed in light of shocking figures which show that 20% of those applying for licences in the last year had criminal convictions, said Fine Gael Frontbench spokesperson on local government, Olivia Mitchell TD today (Tuesday).
One Million St Patrick's Day Cards Sent
An Post expects to carry a record number of St Patrick's Day greetings cards to international destinations over the coming fortnight. Corporate orders for An Post postage paid cards are significantly up on last years, as more Irish export companies are sending St Patrick's day cards to overseas clients as part of marketing and client communications campaigns.
Celebrate St Patrick's' Day
This year's St. Patrick's festival 2002 programme begins on Friday 15th March. Thousands of performers will bring you a magical event, combining street theatre with a spectacular finale of fire and water on the river, heralding the beginning of the Festival. This will be on the Liffey Quays at 8.45 pm between O'Connell Bridge & Grattan Bridge.
Saturday 16th March has a special event in Merrion Square from 12-6 pm This will involve fabulous fun and frolics in Ireland's premier street carnival, which includes an inflatable village, a funfair, brilliant street performers and much more. Sensational pop acts will perform a free concert with FM104 DJs. This year's line up includes Picturehouse, Relish, Six, The Walls, Turn, 5th Avenue, Blood or Whiskey and Skindive
Dublin Independent Candidate Calls For Taoiseach To Veto
Dun Laoghaire is living up to it's reputation as Irelands' most liberal constituency with the number of left wing candidates who are being fielded in the general election. As well as the Labour Party candidates, two independent candidates have come forward in recent weeks from the 'far left.' One of these is Mr DS O'Buchalla.
Independent candidate for the Dublin South East constituency Mr. D.S. O'Buchalla has called on the Taoiseach to have the proposed European Maritime Safety Agency to be located in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
Chair Of Bin Tax Campaign To Stand For Dail
Richard Boyd Barrett, Chair of the Campaign Against Service Charges (CASC), has been selected by the Socialist Workers Party as its candidate for the general election in the Dun Laoghaire constituency. He has been at the fore of the campaign of non-payment which has seen tens of thousands of households refuse to pay the annual charge of £150 for bin collection.
He says "Almost sixty percent of people in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown are refusing to pay the bin tax. Yet the main parties continue to support the charges. We want to use this election to challenge this disgraceful double tax. "
TB Scare At Loughlinstown Hospital
A major TB scare has erupted at St Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, South Dublin. It follows the discovery that a staff member who works in the A&E department has been diagnosed as having tuberculosis. Hospital authorities will not say, for reasons of confidentiality, whether the infected member of staff is a doctor or nurse, or whether he or she was involved in surgery. As a result of the scare, the hospital is recalling patients treated by the staff member to test them for tuberculosis. Doctors and nurses who worked with the infected Healthcare worker are also being screened as they could have been infected also.
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