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

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.

At the Local Area Committee the plans for the Park in 2015 were outlined as follows:

1.Commence work on the central Walled Garden through provision of new entrances, paths, seating and planting

2.Further development of the Millennium Community Garden

3.Provide improvements to the Millennium Playground

4.Provide further specimen tree and woodland planting

5.Replace signage within the Park and at entrances where necessary

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. 

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. 

Fingal County Council voted to reduce the property tax by 15% at the end of September. Fingal will have a budget surplus of 2 million euro even with this reduction so basic services can be both retained and improved. The full 15% reduction will give property owners some respite and relief despite the upcoming monumental bill for Fine Gael and Labour’s latest quango Irish water. This super-quango which was developed from the Fine Gael New-Era Policy Document in 2009 has been an unmitigated disaster. The government refused to allow any parliamentary scrutiny or debate on the legislation to establish Irish Water last year. The government’s attempts to engage in auction politics at the recent budget have been overshadowed by the daily scandal from Irish Water.

A number of residents have contacted me about their oversized or overgrown trees on the public roads/area around their home that need to be pruned/inspected by the Council. There is a Winter Works Tree Program every year that commences in the Autumn/Winter period. It is important to have your tree inspected before this commences. You can register your tree for inspection if you contact the Operations Department on 01-870 4599/[email protected] or feel free to contact me if you have any questions/queries.