By Dermot Lacey
Following the excitement of the Local Elections, I had the great fortune to travel Ireland in my Camper Van and experience once again the beauty of our Country. From Wicklow to Kilkenny, to Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary – with a short trip to Donegal. The warmth of welcome and the innovative tourist attractions were a joy to behold and proved once again how great Ireland can be.
After that brief recess from political activity the City Council is back up and running. Unfortunately there is a lengthy process involved in confirming the make-up of the external members of Council Policy Committees. The Labour Group has appointed me to serve on the Finance and the Planning Committees. I look forward to working with all my colleagues over the next five years.
The full City Council met on the 2nd September and the Area Committee on the 9th. At City Council level the issues dealt with included a new waste management plan that aims to significantly clean up the City, housing policy and developments, the Irish Sea Wind Farm, health and safety of horses involved in the Horse Drawn Tourist Carriages around the City and Tree Policy in Dublin.
At the Area Committee there was a very welcome report on new housing developments and rejuvenation works at Glovers Court, Pearse House and St Andrews Court – all within the Dublin Bay South area. I raised serious concerns about traffic issues at Beach Road, Seafort Terrace and Beech Hill Terrace. With the Lord Mayor I raised concerns about road safety issues close to a Creche in Milltown. Other matters raised included the long-sought improved entrance from the Beech Hill estate to UCD, the need for more sports pitches and the ongoing plans to develop the Gulistan site in Rathmines for more social and affordable housing.
I had a very interesting meeting with Guru Nanak Darbar of the Sikh Temple on Serpentine Avenue. Guru Darbar explained their philosophy, their history and their plans for the Temple. They want to significantly improve their facilities and upgrade and protect the premises. I suggested that when doing so they might incorporate some elements of the history of the old Ritz Cinema and Oscar Theatre that stood there for many years. Growing up I can still hear my Mam referring to it as “The Shack”. I’m sure that will resonate with many older readers.
In mid-August I attended the funeral of a man who did so much for this community, quietly but effectively. Michael O’Connor from Greenfield Park in Donnybrook was a prominent businessman and for many years Chairman of Arnotts. But I knew him more as the long-serving Chairman of the Board of that great Dublin institution the Royal Hospital Donnybrook. Michael was a real Gentleman and a true servant of Dublin. May he Rest in Peace.
Along with my colleague Ivana Bacik and new Councillor Rory Hogan I met with residents of Dartmouth Square to try and push forward a conservation plan for the Park. We have agreed on an approach….we just have to get the Parks Department to agree with us.
As Area Committee Chairperson I was delighted to present the Neighbourhood Awards to Sandymount Tidy Towns, Ringsend Tidy Towns, Beech Hill Community , Ballsbridge Living and Donnybrook Tidy Towns Committees, Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre, the Pump House residents, St Patricks Boys National School and Woodstock residents working with the Ranelagh Community Response and more at an Awards Ceremony in City Hall in early September. Very special mention to Mary O’Neill from Ringsend who received an Individual Award And to Philip Daly from Ranelagh Community Response who deserves an award every day for the incredible work he does for his community.
At the Regional Health Forum I again raised the disgraceful dereliction of Baggot Street Hospital. By the time you are reading this I hope that we as Councillors will have visited the hospital to see for ourselves what might be possible. I will continue to push for a publicly beneficial use for this important public building. My own preference is that it would be developed as housing for front line workers who the City desperately needs to provide for.
With other Public Representatives I met with the incredibly dedicated and active Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group to identify how we could work together to firstly ensure the establishing of the long promised Oversight Group for that site and to ensure the delivery of the nine hundred social and affordable housing promised in the Strategic Development Zone plan for the site. That is a commitment I am determined to deliver and together we will.
Sometimes if you wait long enough an idea takes root. In 2012 I proposed that the Custom House Quay be made a Car Free Zone on Saturdays and Sundays. I was told this was impossible. On the 22nd September the impossible became possible and a new Public space was created – if only temporarily. I hope this will be repeated in the future. We need more such public spaces where people can meet, mingle and socialise safely.
The brilliant Culture Nights in the Sandymount Community Centre resumed on Friday 6th September with a wonderful Traditional Irish night led by Cormac McGinley with many other local and visiting musicians and singers – including three superbly talented musicians from Ukraine. Following the music a great night of conviviality and chat was had in O’Reilly’s on Seafort Avenue. Speaking of great Pubs can I pay tribute to the unique and wonderful Martin Crowe who has retired after many years of service in that other great pub, Ryans of Sandymount Green. Very best wishes in the years ahead Martin and thanks for all the friendly service.
Finally, I am constantly asked about the proposed Columbarium wall in the old Donnybrook Cemetery. Work is ongoing but has been stalled for a number of reasons. I am still hoping that it will be completed in the next few months.
That’s all for now, but as always if there is any way that you feel I can help in my role as a City Councillor or a Peace Commissioner please do not hesitate to contact me.
