Election Roundup 26.05.09
But first, a musical interlude… curtessey of Alan Kelly of the Labour Party
Kathy Sinnott’s campaign have made contact, and I’m currently trying to set up an interview later this week, which leaves only Brian Crowley who has not responded to a request.
Limerick Newswire is putting together an election section. Go forth and gander.
Gerard Fitzgibbon’s musings on Limerick City South. One person is definately getting the boot in June. Eight siting councillors won’t fit into seven seats.
Fianna Fail managed to clock up a miserable 9 percent in party support in this week’s Evening Echo poll. Stephen Spillane discusses how it will be individual personalities rather than party loyalty which will win seats for the party in Europe.
There is a large number of press releaces received today, these are below the fold.
Sinn Fein (local) Received 0833 hrs
The time for Limerick Council to take Stenson Park in charge is now long overdue according to local resident and Sinn Fein North Ward election candidate Maurice Quinlivan who stated “The roads in Stenson Park have been allowed deteriorate to such an extent that they now pose a real danger to road users due to potholes and uneven surfaces, not to mention the damage being caused to cars. Stenson Park is nearly 30 years old. The time is long overdue for the council to take Stenson Park “In Charge” so that they can carry out the necessary road repairs.”
“It is ironic how, on the eve of the local elections, a number of current city councillors have suddenly become “aware” of the appalling state of Stenson Park’s roads. Clearly they have not been in the area since they were last elected or if they were failed to act on the issue. If they had visited the area or spoken to local residents over the last five years then they would be well aware of local concerns on this issue. The current elected representatives have had five years to act on the issue of Stenson Park and other housing estates which need to be taken “In Charge” in order for essential repairs to be carried out. However they have failed to do anything. Local residents will see their sudden new interest in Stenson Park for the cynical electioneering that it is.”
Mr Quinlivan concluded by stating that he had “been in contact with the City Council on a number of occasions in the last number of years to try have necessary repairs carried out. The City council must now act to ensure that the developer carries out the necessary works and then as was stated by the City Council’s Director of Services look at taking Stenson Park “In Charge” as a matter of “urgency. This is a necessary first step before any work can be done by the City Council on resurfacing the roads and returning them to an acceptable standard. It is simply unacceptable to leave the roads in the deplorable condition they are in.”
Labour Party (local) Received 1057 hrs
Local Election Candidate in the Limerick City South Ward Orla McLoughlin has called on the Limerick City Council to step up the process of taking over estates across the City. “Residents all over the City are tired of waiting for developers to hand over the management of estates to the City Council”, stated Ms McLoughlin.
Orla believes that many of the currently councillors don’t appreciate the urgency of taking over estates. “Living in a new estate myself, I am aware of all the issues that arise when estates are not taken in charge in a timely manner. Young families in Glenbrook have waited years for speed ramps on their roads and for the promised dead end to be built. Old Cork Road residents want the City Council to be responsible for grass cutting and essential services. The council needs to put pressure on developers to hand over every estate within three years of being built”.
Green Party (local) Received 1220 hrs
James Nix, the candidate in Limerick City North for the green party, has secured progress to bring a number of development sites into line with planning law.
Caherdavin – Davey site Mr Nix, who specialises in planning and environmental law, has secured progress at the Davey site at Caherdavin Shopping Centre on the Derravarragh Road. Permission at the site was granted before the city boundary was extended on 1 March 2008 and the agreement between city and county provides that the county will remain responsible for permissions granted before the changeover. On foot of correspondence from Mr Nix, the city wrote to the county saying it was of the view that Mr Davey was in breach of planning law and urging the county to take action. On 26 May Limerick County Council wrote to Mr Davey instructing him to re-instate the green area within 21 days, and should he fail to comply with this, enforcement proceedings will be
issued.
Ennis Rd – Ardhu House At Ardhu House on the Ennis Road the developer has been asked to submit revised plans. The re-submission must cut down on the bulk and scale of the development, reduce the number of units and retain trees.
And, through an official enforcement complaint submitted by Mr Nix, the developer is also under investigation for digging cable trenching at the base of trees.
Clancy Strand – Andrews Gardens Mr Nix has also assisted residents regarding an area known as Andrews Gardens on Clancy Strand. There, the developer has been issued with an enforcement notice. Unless remedial works are carried out to restore the site, the matter is set for court where it is open to the judge to impose heavy fines if a breach of planning law is upheld.
Independent (Europe) Received 1344 hrs
Independent think tank Open Europe has just released its MEP “league table”. This ranks all 785 Members of the European Parliament “based on 20 different categories relating to transparency, accountability, democracy, and waste.”
Ireland’s MEPs have come out in a respectable 6th place of 27 Member States. The highest ranking Irish MEP was Kathy Sinnott in 18th place. The rest of the candidates ranged from 92 to 405.
“I’m pleased to have been ranked so highly,” commented Munster MEP Kathy Sinnott.
“Transparency is such an important issue. Too many people have lost faith in politicians and the political system. The best way to restore that faith is to push all political dealings into the open. It is gratifying to see the work I have put in being acknowledged.”
Independent (Europe) received 1442 hrs
Munster MEP Kathy Sinnott has this morning welcomed Tanaiste Mary Coughlan’s announcement that the Government plans to apply to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund in the coming weeks.
“I’m delighted to hear that the Irish Government are finally applying for these much needed funds. I have contacted the Minister to urge her to lodge an application to the EGF and have met with the European Commission. I am concerned that it has taken our Government so long and hope their tardiness will not jeopardise the future of our workers,” said Mrs. Sinnott, a member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.
Speaking from Limerick, Kathy Sinnott continued, “The money from the EGF is directed at workers and can be used for re-training and re-skilling or supplementing their wages where workers have been forced into lower paid employment. This is very important in the case of workers from Dell in Limerick and Waterford Crystal who have lost their jobs and are relying on the Government’s application to secure their future. I urge the Tanaiste to get in the Government’s application as soon as possible so that Ireland will not be left behind when these funds are being allocated.”