​You will know be aware of some very significant changes that are being proposed by the National Transport Authority under the BusConnects proposals to our bus services. These changes would see a reduction in bus services for the Malahide area and indeed reduction in services to the city for most of North County Dublin. 

Earlier this week Cllr. Eoghan O'Brien and I hosted a BusConnects information evening in Seabury Parish Centre attended by nearly 500 people. We would like to thank everyone for coming to this important meeting. The massive attendance on the night showed the level of opposition to these proposed changes.

For your convenience, I have attached a DRAFT submission that Eoghan and I have prepared. You may find this useful and wish copy items from it, add your own views to it, or indeed use it in full. It is really important that you put your full name and address on the submission when you email it to the NTA.

This submission focuses very much on the negative impact that the proposals will have on the Malahide area. We have also prepared specific draft submissions for all other towns in Dublin Fingal.

Make sure you spread the word. We need to ensure that we maximise the number of submissions made to the National Transport Authority.  Email your submission to ; 

consultations@nationaltransport.ie

Be assured that Eoghan and I are 100% behind the community on this and will be doing everything we can to ensure that our bus services are improved and enhanced, not reduced, and that the negative aspects of the BusConnects proposals are eliminated.

I will keep you informed of progress and I will stay in touch. In the meantime if you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact myself or Eoghan. My direct office number is 01-6183802 and my mobile is 086-2519893.

​- Staff shortages and high turnover undermining oversight of housing delivery -
 
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing Darragh O’Brien TD has called for a review of the Housing Delivery Office.

The office was established under Re-Building Ireland in August 2016 to support the accelerated delivery of housing across the social and private sectors.

Working with the broader Housing and Planning Divisions in the Department of Housing, other key agencies, local authorities and the construction sector, the aim of the office was to support the roll-out of complex projects, including identifying and resolving barriers to delivery.

However, PQ replies have revealed staff shortages and high turnover within the unit undermining its capacity to carry out its role.

Deputy O’Brien said, “There are currently only three people working in the Housing Delivery Office. This is extraordinary considering the huge remit the office currently has. What’s even more worrying is the fact that the office has actually lost staff since it was first established two years ago, down from four posts. Many of the original members of staff have left the office since its establishment.

“The loss of staff and turnover is obviously having an impact on its ability to carry out its work. This means that a critical part of the Re-Building Ireland plan is simply not working. Instead of expanding and building up its experience and expertise it is instead losing staff. This means its ability to learn lessons from previous plans and address blockages is being lost. Given that six local authorities failed to build a single social home last year its clear the office has major issues to address.

“The office should be reviewed as a matter of urgency and the reasons for such loss of staff need to be addressed. We need oversight of delivery and co-ordination between the various stakeholders to ensure housing targets are met.

“Given the abysmal levels of social housing construction this must be a priority. Two years on from Re-Building Ireland we have seen massaged housing figures and a continued social housing crisis. We cannot afford to allow blockages and institutional problems to delay construction in the middle of a housing crisis,” Deputy O’Brien concluded.

- Monday, 23rd July, 8pm – Seabury Parish Centre, Malahide –
“This is an opportunity for the people of Malahide and surrounding communities to air their concerns about proposed changes to bus routes,” said local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien as he invited local residents to his public meeting on Bus Connects which takes place on Monday, 23rd July at 8pm in Seabury Parish Centre, Malahide.

“There has been much debate and discussion about the recent proposals to change and augment the Dublin Bus network, especially in the North County.

“This is the first in a series of meetings I, and the local Fianna Fáil organisation, will be hosting across North County Dublin. It’s imperative that people have their say.

“Both myself and Cllr. Eoghan O’Brien believe that we need to allow local people have their say on these proposed changes, and that’s why it’s essential that as many people as possible turn up on the night.

“On the night, we will go through the proposed changes, give our thoughts and opinions on the changes, and give space for local residents to give us their thoughts.

“In addition, we will be providing information and guidance to residents who wish to make formal submissions to the Bus Connects consultation. Submissions can be made by email to: consultations@nationaltransport.ie. Feedback from all our public meetings will be incorporated into our own submission. 

“Bus services in Dublin need improving; there is no point shying away from that fact, but they must be changed in consultation with the people directly affected – the commuters.

“Dublin Bus is an integral part of life in North Dublin. Whether you are going to work, school, the local shops or to the hospital, we rely on a quality bus network to keep us moving.

“We’re looking for a big crowd on the night to ensure that we, as your local public representatives, have the best picture of what the local community want and need from their bus service,” concluded O’Brien.

​