My colleague Cllr Brian Dennehy and I have received a notice  from Fingal County Council in relation to an application the council has received from Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd for permission to temporarily close roads in the Rush area for the purpose of carrying out upgrade works to the existing foul sewer network on behalf of Irish Water as part of the Rush Waste Water Collection Project. 

It is proposed that these roads will be closed on a phased basis from 10.00am Tuesday 2nd May 2017 until 6.00pm Thursday 31st August 2017.

The roads in question are:

Phase 1:
South Shore Road will be closed from its junction with Sandy Lane to its junction with the Golf Road through to the Corr’s Lane/Channel Road junction. The works are sequential and
both roads will not be closed at the one time. When works are underway on the South Shore Road the Golf Road will remain open and when works are underway on the Golf Road the South Shore Road will be open to traffic. The Golf Road/South Shore Road junction will remain open to allow for access to the Golf Club and local businesses.

This phase will be closed from 10.00am Tuesday 2nd May 2017 until 6.00pm Friday 2nd June 2017.

Phase 2:
South Shore Road will be closed from the green area west of the South Shore Carpark to its junction with Sandy Lane. This phase will be closed from 6.00pm Friday 2nd June until 6.00pm Thursday 31st August 2017.

Alternative routes available for vehicular traffic are as follows:

Phase 1:
Vehicles wishing to access to the west of the road closure at the Golf Road/South Shore Road junction can divert via Channel Road onto the South Shore Road at the Spout Road junction continuing on the South Shore Road to its junction with Linkside then heading eastwards on the South Shore Road towards the
Golf Road.

Vehicles wishing to access the South Shore Road to the east of Sandy Lane can divert at the Lower Main Street/Hands Lane
junction.

Phase 2:
Access to South Shore Road between the Sandy Lane/South Shore junction, Hands Lane/South Shore junction and the South Shore Carpark will be for local access only. There will be Road Closed Ahead/Local Access Only signs at the Hands Lane/Upper Main Street junction, the Sandy Road/Upper Main Street junction and the Golf Road/South Shore Road junction. Diversions are via Corr’s Lane/Golf Road. 

Local access for residents and businesses will be maintained at all times.

Any person may lodge an objection in writing with the Senior Executive Officer, Operations Unit, Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 to arrive no later than 4.00pm on Friday 7th April 2017.

                      - New passenger study names Dublin as 10th best globally
​                                          among top international airports -


Local Fianna Fáil TD and Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien has said that the latest global rankings conducted by travel website, eDreams, are in recognition of the high standards upheld by all those working in the capital’s airport.


The ranking was calculated by examining over 65,000 passenger reviews and focusing on key areas of overall quality including airport facilities.


“Dublin Airport continues to experience strong growth in volumes, welcoming more than 25 million people in the latest observation. Just last year it was the named the fastest growing major European airport as it acts as one of the largest gateways between over 180 destinations across 41 countries,” commented the Fingal based TD.


“It is a credit to all staff and employees that this is the second accolade for the airport in recent months, with it being named the third best in Europe for customer service and subsequently receiving the Airports Council International (ACI) World Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award earlier this year.


“As passenger numbers have grown, the quality of customer experience has only improved. The good reputation, hard work and loyalty of staff at the North Dublin campus have propelled Dublin Airport to become recognised as one of the busiest and efficient airports worldwide,” he concluded.

        - FF motion will halt the restructuring process of both advice services -
Local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that the Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar must put a stop to the restructuring process currently underway in the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and the Citizens Information Service in Dublin Fingal, to ensure that staff and volunteers have their concerns heard.

Commenting ahead of tonight’s Dáil debate on the motion Deputy O’Brien said, “With a shortage of housing in the Capital, first time-buyers’ looked to Dublin North as a commuter belt to purchase homes at accelerated prices during boom time. Since the downturn, many have faced financial hardship and even home repossession.


“These people in particular require the support of the crucial services provided locally by both CIS and MABS, to manage their debt by providing information, advice and advocacy.


“There is much scope to deliver greater efficiencies and effectiveness in both organisations and I am not opposed to change and reform where necessary. However, I am troubled by the very real concerns that that have been shared by staff and volunteers regarding the potential implications of the restructuring of MABS and CIS into a regional model.

“Volunteerism is at the core of the services offered by MABS and CIS and is embedded at a grassroots level within our community. There is significant local concern that the restructuring model will disenfranchise volunteers in Fingal. If those driving this restructuring had engaged meaningfully with staff and volunteers before they began the process.

“There is a theory circulating which has yet to be proved with hard evidence that merging services will lead to reduce costs and greater efficiencies. A cost-benefit analysis of the proposed regional model must be conducted before any changes go ahead. It is most important that there is local and not centralised control over the provision of these services.


“Fianna Fáil is calling on the Minister for Social Protection to immediately utilise the power he has under the Citizens Information Act of 2007 to issue a directive to halt this proposed regionalisation.

“We must listen to those who have real first-hand experience of the services and heed the strong reservations that they have shared regarding this restructuring process.

“All stakeholders involved should be consulted and allowed to meaningfully engage in dialogue to secure an outcome that is fair to all,” concluded O’Brien.

   - Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund ignores investment in existing roads -

Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that while the commitment to complete four projects in Fingal as part of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund is welcome, more attention must be given to the existing road network.
Earlier today, the Department of Housing announced details of allocations for four key projects in the Dublin Fingal area as part of the Local Infrastructure Activation Fund.


Commenting on the fund Deputy O’Brien said, “It is expected that over 1,000 homes will be constructed in our area by 2021. The allocations to Fingal County Council are long overdue and I am particularly pleased about the construction of the Donabate Distributor Road which will see increased road network capacity in the area.


“The new Distributor road in Donabate, which was granted planning permission back in July 2011 must urgently begin development.
“While these projects and the allocation of almost €30m must be welcomed, my concern remains that the existing road infrastructure is substandard and does not provide for the growing population in the North County.


“The government claims to acknowledge the level of investment required to significantly make improvements to the existing road network and make it fit for purpose; yet they continually fail to allocate adequate funding to our local authority to carry out maintenance or upgrade works. In fact, Dublin is the only county which relies solely on local property tax and motor tax payers to fund the existing road network with virtually no assistance from government via the regional local road grant.


“Furthermore, as Dublin Fingal continues to expand and increase in population size, addressing the pressure on our road network is just one element of the strategy needed. The severe lack of school places, public transport services and amenities must also be addressed.


“Now is the time to plan for the future of our community,” concluded O’Brien.


Speaking on the €15m ring fenced to complete the Donabate Distributor Road, Cllr Adrian Henchy said, “This project has been long promised and when completed, will make a huge difference to the everyday lives of residents in the area.”


Cllr Eoghan O’Brien commented, “Road upgrades and a distributor road in Belmayne and Clongriffin are both essential projects which will help to alleviate traffic congestion for local road users. Improvements at Baldoyle Staploin have also been necessary for some time now.”


Upgrades to roads in Oldtown Mooretown, “Are a key part of an overall plan which marks the beginning of major improvements in our area. Today’s announcement of just short of €5m will greatly contribute to the shaping our county’s future development and it is our responsibility to ensure that these will begin works ASAP,” concluded Cllr Darragh Butler.

            - FF motion will halt the restructuring process of both advice services -
Local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that the Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar must put a stop to the restructuring process currently underway in the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and the Citizens Information Service in Dublin Fingal, to ensure that staff and volunteers have their concerns heard.

Commenting ahead of tonight’s Dáil debate on the motion Deputy O’Brien said, “With a shortage of housing in the Capital, first time-buyers’ looked to Dublin North as a commuter belt to purchase homes at accelerated prices during boom time. Since the downturn, many have faced financial hardship and even home repossession.


“These people in particular require the support of the crucial services provided locally by both CIS and MABS, to manage their debt by providing information, advice and advocacy.


“There is much scope to deliver greater efficiencies and effectiveness in both organisations and I am not opposed to change and reform where necessary. However, I am troubled by the very real concerns that that have been shared by staff and volunteers regarding the potential implications of the restructuring of MABS and CIS into a regional model.

“Volunteerism is at the core of the services offered by MABS and CIS and is embedded at a grassroots level within our community. There is significant local concern that the restructuring model will disenfranchise volunteers in Fingal. If those driving this restructuring had engaged meaningfully with staff and volunteers before they began the process.

“There is a theory circulating which has yet to be proved with hard evidence that merging services will lead to reduce costs and greater efficiencies. A cost-benefit analysis of the proposed regional model must be conducted before any changes go ahead. It is most important that there is local and not centralised control over the provision of these services.


“Fianna Fáil is calling on the Minister for Social Protection to immediately utilise the power he has under the Citizens Information Act of 2007 to issue a directive to halt this proposed regionalisation.

“We must listen to those who have real first-hand experience of the services and heed the strong reservations that they have shared regarding this restructuring process.

“All stakeholders involved should be consulted and allowed to meaningfully engage in dialogue to secure an outcome that is fair to all,” concluded O’Brien.

​Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O'Brien TD has expressed his concern regarding the deterioration in the health of Ibrahim Halawa, who has being detained in Egypt without trial for over three years.


His comments come as the trial of Ibrahim has been postponed this week for the twentieth time.


“Ibrahim’s life is at risk, and the current inertia in having his case dealt with is further jeopardising his health and well being. This situation is deeply traumatising, not only for Ibrahim but also for his family.” he added.


“During a recent diplomatic trip to Cairo I had the opportunity to speak to Ibrahim in prison and I urged him to end his hunger strike. While I  and my Party very much welcome the news that an independent medical expert will travel to Egypt to assess Ibrahim's health, it is clear that the Government must step up and do more.


"I am calling on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Government to make every effort to ensure Ibrahim’s health is monitored and that he receives appropriate medical attention. Furthermore, the Government must utilise every channel and mechanism available to them to secure Ibrahim's release.'

“It is absolutely crucial that our vehement opposition to this now indefensible situation is communicated to the Egyptian authorities in the strongest terms. Ibrahim’s case must kept to the fore,” concluded the Deputy.