Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O'Brien TD has said that a long-term strategy designed to promote the integration and inclusion of the Islamic community in Ireland, will aid the on-going effort to stop the spread of radical Islam and terrorism.


Deputy O'Brien made his comments following an informative meeting which he with Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri, founding Chair of the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council, earlier this week.

O’Brien commented, “Ireland has become a much more diverse, pluralistic and outward looking society, thanks in part to those who have come to make Ireland their home, including the sizable Muslim population living here.


“There is an onus on the Government to assist new minorities to integrate fully into Irish society and to promote an Ireland that is inclusive and tolerant of people of all faiths and none.


“We have all too often witnessed the appalling destruction and loss of life at the hands of religious extremism and we cannot assume that Ireland is immune from facing such atrocities.


He added, “Mr Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri reiterated the pressing need for greater dialogue and peaceful engagement with the Islamic community in order to circumvent isolation and the rise of radicalisation and extremism in Ireland. 


“The incidence of radicalism within the Muslim community in Ireland has been increasing for some time. In order to dispel the spread of radical extremists falsely claiming to act for the good of Islam, we need to forge an inclusive society in which people identify themselves with.


“We must be pro-active now or risk paying an intolerable price in the future,” concluded Deputy O’Brien.

   Promised development of 2 new secondary schools delayed by another 15 months

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that the already over-subscribed secondary schools in Dublin Fingal will now experience further pressure in the forthcoming school year as the development of two schools in the county have been pushed back another 15 months.


In information received by the Deputy through a tabled Parliamentary Question, the Minister for Education has confirmed that both schools which were scheduled to open this September in Malahide/Portmarnock and Swords will now not open until September 2018. 



Deputy O’Brien commented, “The provision of a new secondary school for the Malahide/Portmarnock and Swords areas of County Dublin were originally announced in November 2015. Since then I have continually raised the urgent necessity for the provision of these secondary school places in the North County.


“These schools have now been deferred and will not open as scheduled in September 2017. The Minister has confirmed to me that they will more likely open a full 12 months behind schedule.


“Fingal is the fastest-growing area in the country and the number of people living in the area has increased by 8pc in the past five years. This rise in population has exacerbated the chronic shortage of school places in the North County.


He added," It can only be expected that the current lack of sufficient capacity in our schools will continue to worsen.
 
“High birth rates in recent years will no doubt place significant pressure on pupil enrollments in both primary and secondary schools unless decisive action is taken by the Department.


“Local parents are becoming increasingly anxious about whether there will be a place for their children come September; this update of a delay in development will add more worry," concluded Deputy O'Brien.

​Local Fianna Fáil TD and Chair of Regional Drugs Taskforce, Darragh O’Brien TD has said that this week’s Garda seizure of over €300,000 worth of cannabis is an important step forward in the crackdown on the sale of illegal drugs in the North Dublin area. 


He commented, “Synthetic, psychoactive drugs that can severely tamper with mental and physical health are a real danger to our young community and are continuing to infiltrate the market for narcotics in Dublin.


“Despite a significant rise in the sale and demand of illegal drugs over recent years, there has been a 50% cut to resources in the Dublin North Garda drugs unit. At the same time, there has been a 20% cut to numbers in rank and file Gardaí in the area.


“It is important to remember that a huge amount of good work is being done in our community day in and day out. I believe the lack of resources assigned to the Gardaí in recent years has hampered their ability to effectively target drug traffickers operating in our area. It is crucial that we continue to see small successes such as this latest bust in Balbriggan.


“The Government needs to make sure that the Gardaí are adequately resourced to continue its operations to decrease the supply of narcotics being brought into the towns and villages across North Dublin," he concluded.

        - Rush Garda Station to be considered as one of six to be re-opened nationally -
​Local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that if a decision is reached to re-open the Garda station in Rush, it will be a major step towards ensuring that those living in the area can live in safety and no longer in fear.



His comments were made following reports of the interim report carried out by Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan on the reopening of Garda Stations nationwide which is due to be published at the end of this month. The re-opening of Rush Garda Station and the establishment of a new station at Dublin Airport are both said to be recommended as part of the report.


The Deputy said, “Rush is an expanding area with a surrounding hinterland that captures almost 10,000 people ,and the unjust closure of the local Garda Station in 2012 has continued to leave the people of Rush dangerously exposed.


“It is important to remember too that Labour presided over that closure and they therefore cannot pretend to advocate for its re-opening now.


“I was vehemently opposed to the original decision to close the Station and have since continually raised and campaigned with members of the community for the station to be re-opened. If a decision is re-open the Garda station in Rush, it will be a major step towards ensuring that those living in the area can live in safety and no longer in fear.


“Earlier this afternoon I spoke directly with the Minister for Justice, who informed me that it has been recommended to Cabinet to re-open the station although some additional analysis is required. While a formal ratification is expected later this month, all indications are positive.


“Fianna Fáil fought for improved Garda numbers and resources during its negotiations with Fine Gael, to make a real difference to families, towns and villages nationwide.


“I will continue to pursue measures to tackle crime and protect communities across Dublin Fingal and work to ensure that the decision to close Rush Garda station is reversed,” concluded O’Brien.

​On 6th February 2017 both Cllr Darragh Butler and I were informed by Fingal County Council made that the council had made an order temporarily close a road in the Dublin Airport area, following an application from Roadbridge Civil Engineering & Building Contractors for the purpose of Road Construction.

The road in question is: 
• The section of Forest Road (L2025) from Cooks Road (L6007) to Naul Road (Forest Little Road) (L2020). for the period Monday 20th February 2017 to Friday 7th July 2017.

In the course of construction works at this location, unforeseen ground conditions has required that Roadbridge Civil Engineering & Building Contractors make an application to
Fingal County Council for a further Temporary Road Closure for the period Friday 7th July 2017 to Friday 29th September 2017.

The road in question is: 
• The section of Forest Road (L2025) from Cooks Road (L6007) to Naul Road (Forest Little Road) (L2020).

Alternative routes available for vehicular traffic are as follows: 

Access from Naul Road (Forest Little Road) (L2020) (East bound) to Forest Road (L2025)

• Naul Road (Forest Little Road) (L2020) East Bound Divert to Swords Road (R132)

• Swords Road (R132) to Boroimhe Road (L2300)

• Boroimhe Road (L2300) to Forest Road (L2025)

• Forest Road (L2025) to Cooks Road (L6007).

Access from Naul Road (Forest Little Road) (L2020) (West Bound) to Forest Road (L2025)

• Naul Road (Forest Little Road) (L2020) West Bound Divert to Naul Road (R108)

• Naul Road (R108) to Cooks Road (L6007).

• Cooks Road (L6007) to Forest Road (L2025)

Access from Forest Road (L2025) (Southbound) to Naul Road (Forest Little Road) (L2020)

• Forest Road (L2025) (South Bound) to Cooks Road (L6007)

• Cooks Road (L6007) to Naul Road (R108)

• Naul Road (R108) to Naul Road (Forest Little Road) (L2020)

Diversion signage will be in place for the duration of the closure.

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

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme for 2017 is now open. The closing date for applications is 30 September 2017.

The Scheme helps you meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school.

You must be getting certain social welfare payments or taking part in training, employment or adult education schemes and your child/ren must be aged between 4 and 17 on or before 30 September of the year you apply or aged between 18 and 22 on or before 30 September if in second-level education.

For more information please see below link;
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Back-to-School-Clothing-and-Footwear-Allowance.aspx