Public Consultation Period: 9^th April – 1^st June 2013

• A private company has lodged an application with the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government for a Foreshore Lease to construct a large scale wind farm (“Dublin Array”) on the Kish & Bray Banks, 10 km off the coast of Dublin & Wicklow.   The application proposes construction of 145 turbines, each up to 160 m from sea level to blade tip, five times higher than the Kish Lighthouse (31m). It will be visible all around the coast and from significant viewpoints inland.

• The developers’  Non-Technical Summary states that the electricity generated may be sold to Irish consumers.  Alternatively, it may be connected directly to the UK to help that country meet its renewable energy targets.

• As legally required, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared on behalf of the developers and lodged with the application.  The EIS was made available for public consultation from 9^th April to 1st June 2013.  Final date for submissions: 11^th June 2013.

• There is virtually no public awareness of the application, the EIS or the public consultation.
• The proposed development, covering an area of 54 km², would have substantial environmental impacts.

• With regard to landscape impacts, the construction of 145 huge turbines, 10 km off the coast will significantly alter the character and quality of coastal landscapes from Howth to South Wicklow.   The developers’ EIS assesses visual impact from 22 viewpoints and predicts significant adverse impacts for 16 of these. They are Howth, Clontarf, Sutton, Bull Island, Poolbeg/Ringsend,  Sandymount,  Dalkey, Killiney, Bray, Greystones, Newcastle, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the N11 at Kilmullin, Carrickgollogan Hill (overlooking Shankill) & Wicklow town.

• “Adverse Major” Visual Impacts are predicted by the developer for Bray Head, Killiney Hill, Vico Road and Howth Head, nationally important scenic areas. These effects, listed in the EIS, give some idea of the immense visual impact the Dublin Array offshore wind farm would have on the entire coast from Howth to South Wicklow.

• The Kish and Bray Banks are shallow sandbanks, an important habitat listed for protection under the EU Habitats Directive.  Some degradation of these banks is inevitable, given the scale of the proposed development.  The EIS acknowledges disturbance of wildlife, including the harbour porpoise, a protected species, commonly seen in Dublin Bay.  Information on a wide range of potential impacts is given in the EIS.

• The EIS is available online, without photomontages, at www.dublinarray.com

• It may be viewed, with photomontages, at five locations around the coast:  Public Libraries in Howth & Dun Laoghaire; Garda Stations in Bray & Greystones  & at the RDS, Anglesea Road, Hall 10A  (10am-4pm Tuesday-Friday; 10am-3pm Saturday).

This current period for consultation is the only opportunity afforded to the public to influence the proposed construction of a major industrial development in Dublin Bay.

Instead we have had myriad opinion pieces from academics, ill informed commentators, vested interests and frequently the oppositionists from the Far Left and the Nationalist Left who have opposed every single suggestion as to how we should finance our system fairly and with democratic accountability.

Too often the voice of the Constructive left has been sidelined and the platform left to the opportunists. Across the world Socialists and Social Democrats advocate payment into a collective fund, toward the provision of collective services.

Opposing the “Trendy Left”

All across the world, that is, except for the Trendy Left and Nationalist Left in Ireland. Here they simply oppose, protest, march, campaign and instil fear and selfish individualism. I oppose their agenda just as much as I oppose those who broke this country and brought Ireland to its knees.

No Public representative particularly wants to advocate more tax. However, surely this country has had enough of those who promise without cost and who offer Public Services without any reference to payment or appropriate taxation.

The truth is that since the populist and cowardly abolition of Domestic Rates Local Government has been starved of funding. The promise to reimburse Councils for the Rates foregone was never honoured by Government. I have calculated that since that decision approximately E4billion has been withheld from Dublin City Council alone by Government. That cannot be sustained.

More accountable model

It is clear that the Property Tax has many flaws I hope that in the period between now and the announcement of Budget 2014 we can use the period to tackle those problems and develop a fairer and more accountable model.

However instead of even attempting to develop an alternative or seek to amend the legislation the pretend Far Left in Ireland just say No. So much for Social Solidarity, so much for honesty and so much for the redistribution of wealth that they claim to stand for.

We need an honest debate on Local Government Reform and on Local Government Financing.

Forum on Financing

I have proposed before that a Forum on the Financing of Local Government be established. It would be comprised of the main Political Parties, the Social Partners and the Councillor Representative Bodies. The Forum would be charged, with agreeing a consensus approach on the issue. There would be an opportunity to contribute for the wider public and it would be given twelve months to report.

The Forum could consider either a national and common approach to the funding issue or, as I would prefer, a range of options that could be determined, as appropriate by local elected Councils.

These could include everything from property taxes, a tourist or hotel bed levy, planning enforcement charges, a variable income or sales tax and so on. Real responsibility will then rest with local Councillors who will also have real flexibility in how to spend the money.

Unlike the ULA/PBP/SP/SF/JPF campaigners, the Dublin City Council Finance Committee –against the wishes of the Sinn Fein Chairperson – has tried to make a constructive contribution to this debate by adopting a detailed submission on the Property tax.

I was pleased that the Committee, representative of a broad range of Councillors and civic society, endorsed the thrust of the proposals I submitted.

Proposals for Reform

Proposals for reform are still possible in any genuine refinement of the Property Tax legislation. Fine Gael TD’s who are vocal on the Plinth might now engage actively in the Parliamentary Party rooms to deliver on some of these:

1) Property Tax raised locally should be retained by the relevant Local Authority in which the money is raised.

2) That price variation in areas be recognized as a reality with appropriate banding. The charge would also reflect the size and value of the property.

3) That an ability to pay clause be an essential element.

4) Rcognizing the need for Equalisation Measures, but also the often higher costs associated with higher population areas that a maximum of 15% be taken from the sum collected as a contribution to an Equalisation Fund. Central Government should contribute any sums necessary to ensure adequate finance for the overall scheme

5) .That Local Councils be allowed to vary the nationally set rate by a maximum of 5%.

6) Provision be made for costs incurred in protecting and upgrading Heritage and Cultural properties that are open to the public.

7) That a penalty would be applied for any deliberate dereliction of property in an attempt to avoid payment. In short that there be no reward for dereliction of property.

That real acknowledgement of the enormous sums expended in Stamp Duty during the years 2008 to 1998 be dealt with through a sliding scale of abatement.

9) That given the normal high costs incurred with the purchase of a first house that an abatement sliding from 70% to 20% be applied for the first five years of such purchase in future.

Financing is central to any real reform of Local Government and, in my opinion, reform of Local Government must be central to how we reform Ireland. Honesty rather than sloganeering and playing to the gallery must be central to both.

Essentially, the 3,500 streets in Dublin are organised into 4 categories that determine how often they are swept.  The highest footfall streets (such as Grafton St) are attended to at least daily, while smaller, less busy, streets are swept quarterly.

If you have any suggestions on how street sweeping could be made more efficient or effective, please get in touch with me at dermot_lacey@labour.ie

I am delighted to report that we secured agreement on a balanced and progressive Budget for the City at our Estimates meeting just before Christmas for 2013. In addition to continuing the pattern of reducing the commercial rate we managed to provide for a number of initiatives across the City – in Dublin South East these included security doors for a number of inner city flat complexes, funding for improvements to Herbert Park and flood protection measures in Ballsbridge and Sandymount. I was particularly delighted and appreciative of the fact that for the first time in many years the entire Labour Group supported the Budget.

I am hoping that Dublin City Council will avail of the new Social Employment Scheme to reactivate a plan to create a linear park along the Dodder.

Property Tax:

In January the Council adopted this Labour Party motion in relation to the Property Tax:

“The Elected Members of Dublin City Council support a property tax if it is based on site valuation, with money being raised and spent locally so strengthening local democracy and government, with a facility for those who can’t pay to defer payment.  Such a tax would allow Dublin City to take advantage of its more efficient use of services and resources and the elected representatives of the people of Dublin call on the Government to respect their views.”

Housing Committee:

Significant progress has been made for the complete overhaul of the Crampton buildings complex. I continue to seek the assistance of Labour in Government to support the application by the Royal Hospital Voluntary Housing Association for a demolition and rebuild project for 25 units at Beech Hill Terrace. The alternative sadly is that we de tenant them and pay security costs way into the future. Such is the thinking of the State.  We have now agreed a Sale of Flats scheme and will be piloting two complexes one of which will be in Dublin South East. A new and more transparent Allocations Policy has been agreed. With Gerry Ashe I am working with a number of women who lived in the former Magdelen Homes with a view to securing independent living arrangements.

Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly:

As Cathaoirleach of the Regional Assembly I am participating in the affairs of the Assembly and made a presentation to the Finance and General Select Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly- the first Councillor from the Republic of Ireland to formally speak at the Assembly.

Local Government Reorganisation:

The 1991 Barrington report acknowledged that a process of devolution of functions from central to local government would take some years to complete.

That was 21 years ago. Yet in the “Putting People First” document the Department and the Minister are still procrastinating – in fact in the case of Dublin, they are proposing that any relevant reform would have to wait at least another seven years -  until 2019. For any Party serious about Political and Structural reform that cannot be deemed satisfactory. I have undertaken a lot of work to try and input into the process to ensure that the eventual legislation is better than the policy document.

Miscellaneous:

During the month I attended VEC, CDYSB, Ringsend and Ballsbridge College meetings. I continued to work with the South Inner City Local Drugs Task Force. At the Area Committee the principal issues were revised opening arrangements for Herbert Park, responding to the increase in dog dirt, cleansing of the City generally. On Monday 28^th January the full City Council will meet to determine the future of lands previously Zoned Z15. Later this week the first meeting of the new Naming Committee will be held to look at appropriate names for new infrastructure in the Dublin area – I will be a Labour member along with Mary Freehill and Sheila Howe.

Christmas Collection Schedule

• Collections scheduled for Christmas Day will be carried out on the preceding Saturday, 22nd December
• Collections scheduled for St. Stephens Day will be collected on the following Saturday, 29th December
• Collections scheduled for New Years Day will be collected on the following Saturday, 5th January

RECYCLING CENTRES  OPENING TIMES

Christmas Tree Recycling arrangements will be circulated on the 2^nd January 2013.

Election as Group Leader:

During the year I was delighted to be elected the new Dublin City Council Labour Group Leader in a contested election.

The immediate task of the Group is to secure agreement on the City Budget for 2013 in the context of massively reduced central funding and uncertainty about the intentions on the Property Tax/Household Charge. Nevertheless through hard work and negotiation we hope to be able to deliver continued reduction of the real rate of the Commercial rates applied during this Council and a number of environmental and recreational deliveries for the immediate area and the wider Dublin Community.

Housing Committee:

As Chairperson of the Housing Committee I am working to try and intensify the response to the collapse of the Regeneration proposals for a number of our Flat complexes. It is hoped to bring forward a number of positive proposals in the new year. In addition significant progress has been made for the complete overhaul of the Crampton buildings complex. I am seeking the assistance of Labour in Government to support the application by the Royal Hospital Voluntary Housing Association for a demolition and rebuild project for 25 units at Beech Hill Terrace

Work is underway on the review and introduction of a new and more transparent Allocations Policy. This will be ready for approval in the early Autumn. Prior to adoption we I have arranged for a number of workshops to ensure that all Councillors fully comprehend the changes proposed

Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly:

In September I was elected Cathaoirleach of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly which covers 20 counties and is responsible for the management of some EU funds.

Meetings:

During the last year I attended regular meetings of the VEC and its sub-committees, the Board of the Rathmines–Pembroke Partnership and the Commissioners of Irish Lights. I was also re-elected for a third and unexpected term to the Executive of the Association of City and County Councils. I actively participated in the Herbert Park Users Forum, the Lansdowne Stadium Project Monitoring Committee and Donnybrook Traders Association events.

Aung San Suu Kwi:

It was a huge pleasure to see a Labour Lord Mayor, Andrew Montague, present the Freedom of the City to Burmese Leader Aung San Suu Kwi twelve years after our own Lord Mayor, Mary Freehill had first secured the agreement of the City Council to award it.

Local Issues:

Dealing with the outcome of the flooding in Ballsbridge and Rathmines and Harolds Cross areas took up a lot of time during the year. A proposal to use the grounds around the closed toilets in Ballsbridge as part of the Ballsbridge College gardening course and developing the building for community use is being considered and on site meetings have been held on Templemore Avenue, Oakley Road and Upper Mount Pleasant Avenue to resolve traffic issues. I have attended the AGM’s and other meetings organised by the Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association, Nutley Residents Association, Terenure and Rathgar Residents and worked with Residents bodies right across the electoral ward and of course followed up on the issues raised..

Miscellaneous:

I have also worked with the Ringsend and District Response to Drugs group, celebrated with the residents of Home Villas and Pembroke Cottages the centenary of the houses and continued my work as Chairperson of the South Inner City Local Drugs Task Force.

Thanks:

As ever thanks are due to a number of people for their support and encouragement during the year. It has been a pleasure to work with Mary, Oisin, Maria and Gerry on the City Council and Kevin, Ruairi and Ivana in the Oireachtas continue to do us proud. Thanks are also due to Ian and Neil and Cathal and Ciaran and Denise for all their assistance over the year.

I appreciate too the voluntary work of the Executive and Council members and in particular my own Branch in Donnybrook who have always been available when they are needed. As ever thanks are due to Jill who puts up with me and a lot more besides.

However we must not take any of that for granted. In 1977 when I joined we had one Senator who was also a Councillor we now have a Minister, a second TD, a Senator and five Councillors. We need to make sure that we use that strength, achieved by the work of very many people, to deliver on real reform and economic recovery. Both are important.  We have a chance to transform Irish society – we should not be satisfied with just transforming the economy.

MONDAY 12/11/2012

PARK AVE
ST JOHNS RD
WILLOW FIELD
KIRK WOOD
PARK LANE
PARK COURT

TUESDAY 13/11/2012
MERRION RD TO AILSBURY ROAD
DODDER VIEW COTTAGE/BALLSBRIDGE AVE  /HERBERT COTTAGE
SERPENTINE TEC
SERPENTINE AVE TO STATION
SYDENHAM RD
SANDYMOUNT AVE  ALL
HOLYROOD PK
PRINCE OF WALES TEC
SPAFIELD TEC
CHURCH FIELD TEC.

WEDNESDAY 14/11/2012
AILESBURY PK

AILESBURY  RD/ FROM MERRION RD TO STATION
MERLIN PARK
MERLIN DRIVE
MERLIN RD
SHREWSBURY PK
ST ALBANS PARK
AILESBURY GARDENS

THURSDAY 15/11/2012
STILLORGAN RD
GREENFIELD CRESENT
GREENFIELD PK
AIRFIELD PK
AIRFIELD COURT
STRAND RD
BEACH RD
BEACH DRIVE+GROVE
BEACH AVE
SANDYMOUNT COURT

FRIDAY 16/11/2012
MERRION RD FROM AILESBURY RD TO GATES
HERBERT AVE
MERRION AVE
ESTATE AVE
AILESBURY GROVE
AILESBURY DRIVE
ANGLESEA RD
NUTLEY RD/SEAVIEW TEC
NUTLEY AVE
NUTLEY LANE
ELM PK
NUTLEY PK

For more information, contact Dublin City Council at 01-222-2222.

1. Motion in the name of Lord Mayor Andrew Montague, Cllr. Dermot Lacey and Cllr. Gerry Ashe

This Committee requests the Manager to examine how all Dublin City Council Centres and other facilities such as the website can be used to promote the Dial to Stop Drugs Helpline (1800 25 00 25) and campaign.

Order: Agreed.

It was agreed that Dublin City council would promote the Dial to Stop Drugs Helpline (1800 25 00 25) where possible.

Link  http://www.crimestoppers.ie/index.php?p=home

http://www.crimestoppers.ie/download/DialtoStopPoster.pdf

The Editor,

Letters Page,

The Sunday Independent

Dear Editor,

Your correspondent Michael O’Meara ( letters 3^rd June) seems to think it is acceptable to refer to me and my fellow Councillors across the country as “Vultures”. As someone who has been re-elected to Dublin City Council in 1999, 2004 and 2009 I believe that I work hard for and with the community  I represent. I have no problem with Councillors being challenged and fairly criticised – we get things wrong. However we also get an awful lot of things right.

In assessing our income and expenditure some understanding should also be applied to the relative populations we have to service.  It should also take into account that some Councillors take on additional responsibilities that may involve travel or time off work etc.

In my own case there is a population of over 100,000 in my electoral area as compared to electorates of several hundred in other parts of the country. As a Dublin City Councillor some of the costs that I meet out of pocket include:

• Printing costs,
• Distribution cost,
• Home Office and Phone,
• Donations to Local Organizations – there are, for example at least ten Community Festival  Committee in my area – not to mention Summer Projects, Senior Citizens Parties etc.
• Postage – unlike Oireachtas members Councillors do not get free post.
• Stationary/office equipment,
• Advertising and sponsorship,
• Travel within my own electoral area – Given that my entire electoral area has Disc Parking this can add up.
• Website maintenance and associated costs
• Election costs.

In most of the above, these costs would be borne by the State if I was an Oireachtas member.

Apart from serving as a Councillor I hope that I also play an active and constructive role in both my own community and Dublin generally. At the last count this amounted to over twenty two  bodies in which I am active in a totally unpaid capacity.

Yes we need Local Government reform and yes I want to play a part in that. However in the meantime the vast majority of Councillors across Ireland deserve better than the cheap and easy jibe that your “letter of the week  winner” uttered last Sunday.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Dermot Lacey