Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin-Fingal, Darragh O’Brien, says the government are failing to recognise the realities of coastal erosion as homes in Portrane and Rush in North County Dublin are under threat.
 
He commented, “The government have been completely hands-off when it comes to tackling this problem. In my own constituency we have already lost one home to coastal erosion. It is only a matter of time before we lose more.
 
“I have raised this urgent problem with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and sought an update as to where the multi-department National Coastal Erosion Strategy and Plan is at. His response will leave no coastal home owner with comfort.
 
“As far as I can see there is no plan or strategy. It appears the government are throwing small sums of money and firefighting the problem as local authorities report issues with coastal erosion.
 
“Our climate is changing rapidly. Storms and freak weather patterns are becoming the norm. This has a detrimental effect on our coast and homes on the coast. We need a national plan and the government should prioritise the coastal erosion plan with their other climate action ambitions,” concluded Deputy O’Brien.

My colleagues and I are continuing to monitor for news concerning the revised BusConnects draft plans and I have met with officials from the National Transport Authority (NTA) a number of times in recent months regarding this matter.
By way of a quick update please see below the mail that I have received from the NTA concerning the publication of the revised BusConnects plans for North Dublin.
It states;
“Dear Deputy

The NTA plans to publish revised proposals for the redesign of the bus network in Dublin next September. Full details of the public consultation arrangements will be announced at that stage.
Yours sincerely
NTA Oireachtas Liaison.”

Once the revised draft plan is published in September I will be holding further public meetings across Dublin Fingal for residents to voice their opinions and give feedback regarding the revised proposals.

Please see below the update that I and my colleagues Cllr Darragh Butler and Cllr Brigid Manton have received from Fingal County Council in relation to an application Jons Civil Engineering Ltd. has submitted seeking permission to temporarily close Rathbeale Road, (from its junction with Ardcian Park and the new proposed junction at Oldtown/Mooretown), Swords, Co. Dublin.
 
The closure will be to facilitate the construction of the Rathbeale Road Upgrade Scheme. It is proposed that the road will be closed from the 12th August 2019 to the 20th December 2019.
 
Alternative routes available for vehicular traffic are as follows:
Ashbourne Bound Traffic:
All vehicular traffic travelling Ashbourne Bound from Swords
- At the Rathbeale/Murrough/Glen Ellan Road Junction traffic lights – turn right on to Glen Ellan Road. Follow the Glen Ellan Road to the first roundabout.
At the Roundabout take the first exit onto Castleview Extension.
Follow Castleview Extension for approximately 1km onto the temporary link road/diversion back onto R125 Rathbeale Road at the Rathbeale Cottages.
 
Swords Bound Traffic:
From the closure point at Rathbeale Cottages, vehicles will be directed onto a new temporary link road to Castleview Extension.
Once on Castleview Extension, vehicles will travel approximately 1km to a roundabout.
At the Roundabout vehicles will take the 3rd exit onto Glen Ellan Road. Vehicles will then travel along Glen Ellan Road to the Rathbeale/Murrough/Glen Ellan Road Junction traffic lights - at the light’s vehicles will turn left onto the R125 Rathbeale Road, signposted Swords.
 
Local access for residents and businesses within the closure area will be maintained at all times.
Pedestrians will use the footpaths provided along the vehicle diversion route. Footpaths within the Rathbeale Road Closure Area will be closed. Fingal County Council have also attached a map highlighting the relevant areas.
 
Any person may lodge an objection online through the Consultation Portal, at https://consult.fingal.ie, or in writing to the Senior Executive Officer, Balbriggan Swords Operational Area, Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, to arrive no later than 4.00pm on Friday 19th July 2019. Michael Carroll, Senior Executive Officer Balbriggan Swords Operational Area.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, has highlighted the difficulty faced by those with disabilities, who often spend longer on social housing lists given the unique requirements needed to meet their housing needs.
 
Raising the matter at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Local Government the Dublin Fingal TD has called for the government to show more respect to those applying for housing who have complex accommodation needs.  
 
He explained, “The housing crisis is affecting every community across the country. The difficulties faced by those on social housing waiting lists are amplified if an applicant has a disability. It is evident, from people who have contacted me, that if you inform the local authority of a disability which requires a house with adaptions waiting times will be longer.
 
“I know this is distressing for elderly parents of adult children with disabilities. They want peace of mind that suitable and adequate housing is secured for their children, but they are subjected to long waiting times.
 
“I know of one lady in North Dublin who has had to live in a nursing home for eight years, in her forties while working, all because her local authority could not provide suitable housing for her needs.  
 
“Individuals with disabilities or complex needs are an afterthought for the current government. This has to change.
 
“Whenever the government start to take the housing crisis seriously they should ensure housing for people with disabilities is an integral role in the solution,” concluded Deputy O’Brien.

                  -Flagship Government policy delivers just 814 homes since 2016-
 
PQ replies provided to Fianna Fáil Housing Spokesperson Darragh O’Brien have highlighted the low drawdown and limited delivery of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF.)
 
Just €16m of the €200m has been spent, to date, almost three years after it was announced as a core part of the Re-Building Ireland policy. 814 homes have been delivered under the scheme to date out of a promised total 19,979. LIHAF invests in infrastructure such as roads and water to prepare sites for construction.
 
Commenting on the figures Deputy O’Brien stated “The rate of spending from this fund is shockingly low. It promises to deliver almost 20,000 homes but just 814 of those have actually been built after three years. The fund has spent just €16m out of the €200m earmarked for investment, 8% of what was promised. The major time lag between Government promises and delivery is compounding the housing crisis across the country.
 
“In July 2016 Fine Gael launched their Rebuilding Ireland programme. LIHAF was a flagship policy to deliver affordable homes but it seems to be sinking under the weight of delays. The three-year time lag raises serious questions around the effectiveness of the fund and its operation.
 
“Clearly the red tape surrounding the scheme is clogging up drawdowns. The fund should be reviewed to ensure it is fit for purpose and its drawdown speeded up to help get bricks and mortar into the ground”, concluded Deputy O’Brien.