The Year in Review
Report on 2009 Activities to the Labour Party’s Dublin South East AGM – January 2010
2009 has been one of the most dynamic years in a long time. Labour in Dublin built on our previous successes with no small contribution from Dublin South East. In Pembroke –Rathmines winning three seats was quite simply unprecedented and allied to Maria and Kevin winning in the South East Inner City was a tribute to the hard work of a lot of people over many years. Since June we have sought to deliver on many fronts on the City Council where Labour is indisputably leading the way. Work on the Council since June has centered on the Draft Development Plan and the adoption of the Budget for 2010.
Pembroke-Rathmines
In addition to getting to know the newer (for me) parts of the ward I was particularly delighted to see the Affordable/Social Houses in Beech Hill I initiated finally completed and that improvement works have continued in Herbert Park. Planning and traffic issues have dominated over the year with the former Jury’s/Berkely Court and RTE sites a major focus. It is increasingly clear to me that there must be fundamental reform of our planning laws to facilitate more pre-application dialogue. Devolution of traffic responsibility must be part of any genuine Local Government reform.
City Council
Following the elections I was re-appointed to the Dublin Regional Authority, the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly and the VEC. I was also appointed to the Association of City and County Councils, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and the Protocol and Finance Committees of the City Council. I hope to be able to use all of these in pursuit of local and city wide improvements. I have continued my work as Chairperson of the South Inner City Local Drugs Task Force and more recently I have been invited to serve on the Board of the Royal Hospital Donnybrook Voluntary Housing Association. On the latter I am presently developing a very positive housing initiative and will report to the Council when there are further details.
Thanks
A lot of people gave me a lot of help over the year, thanks in the first place are due to Aidan Sweeny and Gerry Ashe who ran my re-election campaign, all the members in Pembroke –Rathmines and particularly my colleagues in the Donnybrook Branch who came out so often, deserve and get, my heartfelt thanks. Denise, Gerry and Ian in Leinster House who do far more than any of you will ever believe. Working with Ruairi, Mary, Oisin, Kevin and Maria makes life interesting to say the least and I believe together we have made a difference. Special “thanks” must go to Jill for her support. “One year on one page” – that was the request from the Executive – Thanks to you all. I believe it has been worth it. Hope you do too?
