With winter approaching it is reassuring to see ongoing works on the River Dodder.

Up to 2 million euro per year for next 4 years is allocated.

Marian College- The works to the right bank at Marian College are complete and the path is now open.

Lansdowne Road- The original date for completion of the works on the left bank at Lansdowne Road is 3rd quarter 2012 and it is still expected that works will be completed along that time frame.

Emergency Works- Most of the emergency works will be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2012. However, the reconstruction of the 2metre(6 feet approx) high concrete flood wall from the railway to Beatty’s Avenue is a substantial amount of work, some 250metres in length, and will, most likely, continue until the first quarter of 2013. The wall on Anglesea Road near the RDS is being monitored and will be repaired if it deteriorates further. Otherwise, it will be repaired as part of major works to take place, probably in 2014.

Some emergency work has already been carried out at the Licensed Vintners’ Association. River emergency maintenance and reconstruction on the embankment at the LVA on Anglesea Road are also planned.

Phases upstream of tidal section of Dodder- Dublin City Council will complete the draft Part 8 and Environmental Report and these will be submitted to the City Planning Department for comments.

Dublin Flooding Initiative The Dublin City Council Report is at draft Final Stage, and when completed will be presented to a subsequent Strategic Policy Committee meeting.

Financial Expenditure The Office of Public Works has projected financial expenditure of between €1M and €2M for each of the next four years.

EMERGENCY WORKS ON RIVER DODDER FROM THE RAILWAY BRIDGE AT MARIAN COLLEGE TO BEATTY’S AVENUE BALLSBRIDGE

Preparatory work commenced recently in this area and the footpath was cordoned off with wooden hoarding. This will be followed with construction work on the walls, which is expected to commence shortly and continue until first quarter of 2013.

LAUNCH OF GREENWAY DODDER WALK

Paddy represented the Lord Mayor at the launch of the Greenway Dodder Walk on Saturday 8th September from Ratharnham Road to Donnybrook Village. This walk was celebrating five years of “Let’s Walk and Talk”, a community initiative of DCC, comprising weekly walks in the city, historical, cultural and lots more. These walks are very popular and highly successful with figures topping 14000 per annum. Dublin City Council are hoping to develop the Greenway Dodder Walking route as an official route, linking villages en route, Rathgar, Milltown, Clonskeagh and Donnybrook. The walk on Saturday was a great success with over 140 participants of all ages.

Points of note; Distance 4.5km, Estimated time 1hour–1hr.30mins

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HERBERT PARK

ITA LAWLOR, LIZ RYAN, PEADAR MCCORMICK, EILISH MCPHILLIPS, ROBERT HAUGHTON. BACK ROW SEAMUS LAWLOR AND PADDY

As a pilot scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour and vandalism in Herbert Park it is proposed to leave a number of gates open on a trial basis at the pond side of the park to allow ease of access to garda patrol cars .Gardai would endeavour to patrol the park twice per night on a trial period. On a recent visit to the park with some

constituents, I was saddened to see the evidence of such damage to seats, pathways and refuse bins. However I welcome the new tree planting and also the new seats that have been installed.

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CONTACT PADDY:

Paddy welcomes the opening of this unit after a seven year long campaign and agrees that it is well over due. From the 31st July St Vincent’s Hospital have begun transferring patients with CF to this new purpose-built facility. The new building will contain 20 inpatient single ensuite bedrooms and also 10 day beds. The hospital says that the number of inpatient beds could be “flexed up” to 34.The unit is part of a new 28 million euro ward block which will be known as the Nutley Wing.

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening condition caused by a defective gene that means the body produces abnormally thick and sticky mucus. The fluid builds up in the breathing passages of the lungs and in the pancreas.

In addition to the CF unit this new building will also provide specialist facilities for cancer care, urology, haematology and infectious diseases. It is expected that the new ward will be fully operational by the end of August.

It was great to see community spirit at work in Sandymount Village and surrounding areas and achieving 4th place in the Tidy Towns Competition. Well done to all of those involved.  

Paddy McCartan, Louise MacAuley, Ann Jones

P          PADDY WITH BOXING BRONZE MEDALIST

P               PADDY BARNES                                                                                                 Phil Keena, Donal Slevin, Paddy, Angelo Davis, Lucinda.

This scheme was introduced 3 years ago in September 2009 and due to it’s success there will be a 3 fold increase in the number of bikes- from 500 to 1500 and the number of stands is increasing from 44 to 100. The 5 year plan is to increase the no. of bikes to 5000 and bike stations to 300. The expansion of the scheme is to include UCD, Sandymount, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Clonskeagh.

70,000 people have signed up in three years and this figure is expected to grow considerably over the coming years. JC Decaux funded the scheme up to now but the expansion will be funded by 500,000 euro grant from the National Transportation Authority. Sceptics have been proved wrong about this scheme judging by its popularity and the level of vandalism has been absolutely minimal.

Simmonscourt Taxi Rank

The Taxi Rank outside Bewley’s Hotel on Simmonscourt Rd has been relocated to the other side of the road and replaced with double yellow lines. Paddy has been highlighting the problem on behalf of many residents and motorists and is delighted to see it resolved.

Pictured on board the ship with Paddy is Midshipman, Anastasia Fella

Paddy had the honour of deputising for the Lord Mayor at a buffet dinner on board the training ship “Amerigo Vespucci”on Friday 24th August 2012.

The Amerigo Vespucci Sail Training Tall Ship, led by Captain Domenico La Faia left the port of Livorno, Tuscany on 16th July to begin the 78th training cruise of the Naval Academy Cadets. This year is particularly meaningful as it corresponds with the 500th anniversary of the death of the famous navigator Amerigo Vespucci, from whom the new continent takes the name.

On Tuesday 24th July Taoiseach Enda Kenny joined with local representatives, relatives and interested people to unveil a plaque to the late Kevin O Higgins who was assassinated on 10th July 1927 at the junction of Booterstown Avenue with Cross Avenue. Kevin O Higgins was born on the 7th of June 1892. He served as Minister for Justice in the Cumann na nGaedheal Administration and Vice President of the Executive Council.

DCC are carrying out work to alleviate flooding in this area. Already gullies have been installed at the corner of St John’s Road by the church and a flood flap will be installed shortly. The mains have been pressure cleaned and a camera survey to check mains will be undertaken later in the year.

ALZHEIMER  CAFÉ

On a recent visit to Ireland’s 1st ever Alzheimer Cafe, which opened in December 2011 at the Avila Centre, Bloomfield Avenue, Donnybrook , Paddy was impressed with the facilities available for people suffering  with the condition. On the 2nd Thursday of each month people can meet in a homely atmosphere where vital discussions about memory loss, grief and coping mechanisms can take place between doctors, nurses, carers and people with dementia. About sixty five people regularly attend the cafe and some of those attending describe the meetings as a “lifeline” for them. A grant of 400 euro from Dublin City Council under it’s Community Grants Scheme is very much appreciated according to Sinead Grennan, Alzheimer Cafe Co Ordinator. There are now 42.000 people diagnosed dementia sufferers in Ireland.
For more information contact ;www.alzheimercafe.ie

Pictured in cafe;

Avril Dooley, Dermot Slevin, Alan Whelan and Bridget Healy.

FG Councillor welcomes wording for Children’s Referendum

Urges all voters to check the register to ensure they can vote YES on November 10^th

Fine Gael Councillor Paddy McCartan has welcomed the wording for the Children’s Referendum, which was published by the Minster for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD.

“It is nearly twenty years since Judge Catherine McGuinness first called for constitutional change of this nature, in her report on the Kilkenny Incest Case. Since then successive Governments have discussed the issue, made promises, examined options, set up committees; but now, after 17 reports detailing child protection failings, this Government is acting.

“If passed, this referendum will change the Irish constitution so it:

• Protects Children
• Supports families
• Treats all children equally

The Councillor also welcomed the fact that the Referendum is to be held on Saturday, November 10^th.

“Holding a referendum on a Saturday affords every citizen the fairest opportunity to use their vote.  This is not a debate solely for politicians or members of the judiciary.  This is an issue that concerns the most precious and vulnerable group in our society, our children, and every one of us has a duty to reflect on the issues seriously.  I would encourage all voters to check that they are registered to vote by visiting www.checktheregister.ie, and to also visit www.childrensreferendum.ie to familiarise themselves with the issues for consideration.”

BREAKING NEWS ON POOLBEG INCINERATOR

Dublin City Council’s partner, Covanta has been unable to secure funding for the project. Despite assurances about the contract and construction dates it is now increasingly likely the project will not proceed. Government policy on Waste Management means

(1)  DCC cannot direct waste to incineration.

(2) DCC are not proceeding with Supreme Court appeal on McKechnie judgment.

(3) Complaints to EU on breaches to rules on public procurement have been referred to EU Internal Markets Directorate with possible infringement proceedings against DCC. The whole sorry saga of Poolbeg has to date cost the taxpayer 90 million euro.

• Nutley Avenue Pay and Display and Permit Parking, change of hours recommended Mon –Sun 07.00–24.00 agreed at ballot, 73 for 33 against.

• Yellow box repainted at Donnybrook junction with Ailesbury Road.

• Pothole at Ailesbury Rd/ Sydney Parade repaired.

• Vet College site Ballsbridge cleaned.

• Graffiti cleaned from wall at Pembroke Cottages, Donnybrook , also wall at Eglinton Rd and side wall of Hemmingways restaurant Ballsbridge.

• The 2nd spraying of weeds throughout the South East Area has been completed and inspections will be carried out to ensure all areas will be treated where necessary.

• Lane at rear of Anglesea Rd cleaned.

• Clean-up in Gilford Rd Sandymount and leaves removed.

• Signs erected at Merrion Gates and Beach Road Sandymount notifying dog owners of the status of Brent Geese.

• Wateloo Road. Request to remove bus lane on Saturdays between 1600 hrs and 1800hrs not recommended as hours conform to the standardised hours for operation of bus lanes.

• Double yellow lines reinstated on Home Villas, Victoria Avenue, Auburn Avenue and Auburn Road, Donnybrook .

• Marian College Swimming Pool running costs, 15000 euro grant from DCC and 1000 euro allocated from the East Link Fund.

• Repairs to the carriageways on Auburn Avenue and Home Villas Donnybrook will be carried out over the coming weeks.

• Trees on Sandymount Road have been added to the tree pruning programme.

• Request for Bus Shelter on Morehampton Road has been forwarded to Dublin Bus for consideration.

• I was delighted to attend the centenary of Pembrook cottages in Donnybrook and Dodder View cottages in Ballsbridge

Stella Gaffney, Michelle Flaherty, Colby Chilcote and Terry Thorp
pictured with Paddy when Google visited Ringsend to promote free
classes in their headquarters in Barrow Street for the over “55s”.

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2011  2017

As a result of a High Court challenge by the sisters of Charity over Z15 zoning, 770 hectares on 186 sites across Dublin City are now
unzoned. The sites include Alexandra College Milltown,  Muckross College, Donnybrook , Milltown Park College Sandford Rd, RTE lands, Donnybrook , St Michael’s College, Ailesbury Rd, Royal Hospital Donnybrook , Sisters of Charity Gilford Rd, Nullamore Youth Club and Study Centre, Milltown and RDS Ballsbridge. Fine Gael Councillors voted against this restrictive zoning and have been proven right to do so by the High Court judgement.A combination of Labour,Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and Independent Councillors voted in favour. As a result, these lands are now unzoned  so the City Development Plan will have to be amended to allow  for residential development on these sites.