Category: dublin south

New Year, New Government, New Policies

7th January 2011

Happy New Year! 2011 brings with it renewed hope and an impending general election.  It may, with hard work, bring the first Labour-led government in the history of the State.

Labour has started the year by launching an ambitious plan to reform Irish democracy.  New Government, Better Government sets out 140 ways to improve how government works, how politics works and how to reform the public service. It is, I believe, the most radical reform document ever published by a political party in this country. You can take a look here.

Although a new government will faces challenges in the economy and elsewhere, Labour believes priority must be placed in restoring public confidence in our political system.

Alex White selected as Labour general election candidate in Dublin South

13th December 2010

Senator Alex White will run for the Labour Party in Dublin South in the forthcoming General Election.

He was selected at a convention last Saturday in Ballyroan Community Centre, Rathfarnham.

Speaking afterwards, White said he was “pleased and deeply honoured” to have been selected.

“This is the most vital General Election in our lifetime. The recent budget, the four-year plan and the EU-IMF deal have been the bills for economic failure - bills that the public will have to pay off well into the future.

“In Labour we have a profound sense of fairness and social justice. We now need to marry those politics to a message of hope. Hope that we can begin a process of renewal that will transform our politics and economy for the collective good. Huge challenges face our country. But they are challenges that together we can overcome. Labour’s vision and politics must be at the heart of our recovery.

“In the coming months, I hope to bring that message to the doorsteps of Dublin South. I very much look forward to it.”

Burst Water Pipe in Rathfarnham

1st December 2010

The Water Section of South Dublin County Council are carrying out works today to repair a burst water main at Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham. Customers in Butterfield Avenue, Washington Lane and surrounding areas may experience reduction in pressure or no water today whilst the repair works are being carried out. 

SDCC hope to have full water service restored by mid afternoon.

Govt rejects Labour call to hold Dublin South by-election

24th June 2010

Yesterday in the Dáil, Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore put forward a motion seeking to move the writ for the Dublin South by-election.  The seat vacated originally by the death of Seamus Brennan in July 2008 had been filled by George Lee before his resignation.  Apart from Mr Lee’s relatively short tenure, the seat has been waiting to be filled for almost two years.

Speaking in the Dáil chamber, Eamon Gilmore highlighted that between 1997 and 2002, the government waited no longer than one year to hold a by-election.

“Various governments have, in the past, been tardy about calling particularly by –elections, but this is the first government to have adopted a policy that all by-elections should be delayed for as long as possible and I have no doubt that if they thought they would get away with it, they would delay them indefinitely.”

Responding on behalf of the government, Chief Whip John Curran stated that now was not the right time for the by-election.

“Along with significant the economic challenges the country faces, the Government and the House are in the middle of an extremely busy legislative programme.”

Deputy Gilmore pointed out to the Chief Whip that if the writ was moved, the by-election would be held during the Dáil recess and not affect the normal work of the Oireachtas. 

The Motion was defeated by 71 votes to 66.

More :: Click here to read Eamon Gilmore’s speech
More :: Click here to view the full debate including the government response
More :: ‘Chief whip says Dáil too busy for byelection’ (Irish Times)

Alex in the Media

22nd June 2010

On Saturday morning, I appeared on Newstalk’s Saturday Edition with Brendan O’Brien.  You can hear the programme again by visiting the Newstalk Media Player by clicking here.  Click on ‘Archives’, select ‘Saturday Edition’ and choose Part 2.

On Sunday morning, Sam Smyth invited me on to the panel on his Today FM show.  Also there were Mairead McGuinness MEP and Minister of State Conor Lenihan.  The show can be listened to again by clicking here.

On Sunday evening, I was on the panel for The Week in Politics on RTE1 along with Minister Mary Harney.  Topics included Fine Gael and the banking crisis.  Click here to view the programme again.

Update on Whitechurch Road

21st April 2010

I received notice from Dublin Bus yesterday evening that they have decided to amend their contingency plan for the closure of Whitechurch Road.

After consultation with the council, a temporary bus terminus has been set up at the entrance to Pearse Brothers Park on Taylor’s Lane - between the petrol station and the junction with Whitechurch Road.

The 15B will now terminate at this new bus stop.

I understand that this has begun this morning.  I will continue to keep an eye on the situation.

More :: See where the new terminus is on Google Maps

Alex on TV3

20th April 2010

Last night, I appeared on Tonight with Vincent Browne on TV3.  The other panellists included Sarah Carey and Fintan O’Toole of the Irish Times and Siobhan O’Donoghue of the Migrants Rights Centre.

You can view the show in full by clicking here.

Alex at Conference 2010

19th April 2010

It has been a good weekend for the party.  The 2010 National Conference took place in NUI, Galway over the past three days where the subjects of jobs, prosperity and fairness were the main themes dealt with. 

It culminated in a rousing speech by Party Leader, Eamon Gilmore TD on Saturday night.  The speech seems to have been received as positively outside the hall as it was inside.  You can view the speech in full by clicking here.

I spoke on Saturday morning on a motion regarding NAMA and the need to stop any preferential treatment of developers and landlords over ordinary families.  Below is a video of that speech.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zgKQ6zF7_0]

Diversions on Whitechurch Road

12th April 2010

Over the past few days, I’ve had calls and emails from residents concerned at how council work on Whitechurch Road will affect bus services in the area.  Today is the first day of a contingency plan that will run until May 21.

I understand that there a number of elderly and disabled people in the Whitechurch area concerned that the new arrangements will add up to 20 minutes on to their journey.  Having spoken to the Council and Dublin Bus regarding this, they too understand the difficulty and have promised to monitor the progress as works are ongoing.

From today, Whitechurch Road is closed between Taylor’s Lane and Whitechurch Green.  A diversion is in place for motorists via Whitechurch Road, College Road and Grange Road.  Access will remain for residents.

Dublin Bus say that Route 15B will terminate at Ballyboden Roundabout at Taylor’s Lane.  Passengers travelling on the 116 and 161 can get their bus outside the Costcutters shop on Taylor’s Lane.

Please be assured that I’ll keep an eye on the situation.

Water Supply in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown moves from crisis to recovery

2nd March 2010

I am pleased to announce that DLR County Council have contacted me in relation to the water supply crisis. They have told me that due to significant progress in finding and fixing leaks throughout the County the Council will no longer have to impose countywide severe pressure reductions on a nightly basis.

However, they have also advised that due to ongoing local issues with water levels in Sandyford, Church Road and Rathmichael Reservoirs, less severe pressure restrictions will continue to be necessary in certain areas. The Council have confined these restrictions to times that will cause the least impact on residents in these areas. These times will be generally between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Crucially it is also not anticipated that these pressure restrictions will result in loss of water supply.

I know this will come as a great relief to all of you who have suffered from the shortage of water supply. The Council and I would also like to acknowledge the co-operation of households and businesses in reporting leaks and conserving the water supply over the last 2 months. This has greatly assisted the move from crisis to recovery.

The Council have also asked that I can convey the message that Water conservation efforts from all households and businesses I the County still remains critical to ensure that restrictions can continue to be eased incrementally.

If you have any other queries or you continue to have problems with your water supply please contact the Council at 2054800 between 9am and 5pm. For emergency calls only please ring 6778844.

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