I was delighted to host a public meeting on healthcare in our community in the last number of weeks which was well attended by people from across Dublin west. Healthcare is a passion of mine and healthcare in our community is a key facet of public policy that needs attention, focus and real delivery.
Fianna Fáil believes in a strong public health system with quality services as close to the people as is possible. Healthcare for many is a distant hope where a hospital appointment or a procedure is a worrying waiting game. This is not a sustainable way to run a health service.

Dublin West Councillor Jack Chambers has condemned the decision to disband the specialist garda unit set up to tackle the surge in burglaries in Dublin.

It’s emerged that the intelligence-led unit has been shut down outright amid health and safety concerns, caused by a lack of resources.

Cllr Chambers has described it as an ‘extremely worrying development’ at a time when burglaries in Dublin are on the increase. 

“We need to hear from the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald right now.  It is completely unacceptable that any garda resources would be taken away from the fight against burglaries at a time when burglaries in Dublin’s suburbs are on the increase,” said Cllr Chambers.

I'm honoured to have been elected by my colleagues across the political spectrum as the new Deputy Mayor of Fingal County Council . I look forward to continuing the excellent work of Councillors Murray and Leddy in their Mayoral roles last year. I also look forward to supporting the new Mayor Councillor O Connor in the execution of his duties as the first citizen of Fingal and working with my colleagues on many of the pertinent issues facing our community, society and country

I was delighted to participate in the Castleknock5km last Sunday...there was great participation from hundreds in our community including many members from St Brigids GAA Club and Castleknock Hurling & Football Club all in aid of the Connolly Hospital Stroke Unit.

I was delighted to attend the official opening of St. Francis Hospice in recent weeks. The hospice has been developed at the initiative of brilliant people in our community who have shown phenomenal community activism. The work and endeavor of so many members of our community in fundraising, progressing and driving this initiative must be remembered

Stand-alone maternity hospitals, like we have in our capital are not the norm internationally.

And it is broadly agreed that for the best outcomes for mothers, maternity services should be co-located along with acute adult services.

Just last year the Master of the Rotunda pointed out that it is unacceptable that the hospital had to transfer 10 of its sickest patients by ambulance to high dependency units.

The waiting lists for outpatient procedures have spiralled out of control, with the numbers waiting for outpatient procedures for more than a year increasing eight fold in Connolly Hospital, the Mater and St James since last year, according to new figures from the HSE.

Of the acute hospitals Beaumont has seen the most alarming increase, with 2,758 patients now waiting for more than a year for their procedure. That’s up by 2,664 patients since this time last year and up by 232 between January and February of this year alone.

The Eye and Ear Hospital is under severe pressure with 3,199 patients who are now waiting for over a year for their procedure. That’s an increase of 2,945 since February last year when there were 254 patients waiting for over a year.

Many of the acute Dublin hospitals have also seen a doubling of inpatient waiting times.

Cllr Jack Chambers has said it shows the health system is out of control.

Crime in Our Community

Public Meeting
Castleknock Hotel Wednesday 11th February 8pm

Guest Speakers: Niall Collins TD,Justice Spokesperson

& Local Gardaí

Crime continues to rise in our community. I am holding a public meeting so that people can have a platform to engage with the Gardaí.
Fianna Fáil is developing its policies on Law & Order and invites you to have an input into this process.
I look forward to seeing you on the night.

The Government and the National Transport Authority have approved more hikes in the cost of public transport which will see prices rising by up to 13%.

Many people and commuters in Dublin West will notice a significant dent in their pockets once this latest price hike comes into force.  The Government should be encouraging people to use public transport instead of making it less cost effective.  These hikes will result in Dublin Bus cash fares being almost 40% higher than they were in 2012, while Rail tickets will also see significant increases.  Transport companies have expressed concern about falling passenger numbers, but consistent fare hikes will do nothing to improve the situation. 

If this policy continues, fewer people will be able to afford the ever increasing fares resulting in even bigger losses in the public transport sector.