Road Closure: Sycamore Street, Dublin 2, 5th – 17th September 2011

Dublin City Council intends to make an Order authorising the temporary road closure of Sycamore Street, Dublin 2 (from Dame Street to Essex Street East) from 08.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs each day between Friday 05^th September and Saturday 17^th September 2011.

The road closure is to facilitate construction work.

 In addition to the traffic management plan as detailed on the webpage below,pedestrian and local access will be maintained during the period of the closure.

http://www.dublincity.ie/ROADSANDTRAFFIC/SCHEDULEDDISRUPTIONS/Pages/ScheduledDisruptionsHome.aspx

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2011

Statement to the Dáil during the Second and Subsequent Stages of the Bill, 15th July 2011

I should preface my remarks by stating that I am a smoker, so I have a particular interest in this important debate. I quit when the smoking ban came in. However, I then got a job abroad where it was permitted to smoke indoors and I started smoking again. I now smoke when taking a drink, as a lot of my peers do. If we could do something to break the link between alcohol and cigarettes it would go a long way towards solving the problems arising from the effects of smoking.

I very much welcome the Bill and thank the Minister of State for circulating the pictures. They are graphic and disturbing, and they will work. About eight years ago, when I was a student in Canada for the summer, they already had such images on cigarette packets. It was quite graphic and drove the message home. I always wondered why we did not have that system here, so it is great that we are finally starting to catch up with some of our international friends in this regard.

We should examine a number of other areas in this respect – not just what we are doing to discourage people from starting to smoke but also to help smokers to move away from the habit. Some good things are happening with new technological developments, including substitute cigarettes. I recently met with a group that had developed a battery-powered mechanical cigarette which provided a substitute effect without any of the harmful elements of smoking. If we can spend more time promoting such alternatives, including nicotine patches and substitute cigarettes, it would go a long way towards improving the situation. In addition, we should destigmatise such alternatives to smoking by making them more commonly available and more acceptable to use. We must also do what we can to aid research into the addictive nature of cigarettes.

Deputy Donohoe mentioned the dangers of smoking for pregnant women. I pass a hospital on my way home and it is shocking to see pregnant women smoking there. Surely we are not doing enough to educate people if such women think it is acceptable to smoke while pregnant. At the same time, one sees young mothers smoking. I understand that when one has such an addiction one will smoke, but there will be a negative affect on young children at home in their formative years who are subject to passive smoking. We should target particular groups, including young mothers, to help them stop smoking. The impact on people’s health and lives goes beyond the individual smoker.

I stopped smoking when the ban was introduced because one had to go outside and stand in the rain to have a cigarette. It was miserable. I started smoking again when I was abroad, but when I came back to Ireland I saw that there had been a proliferation of smoking areas in bars and restaurants. I understand the idea of erecting a canopy with a heater to help smokers but some of these smoking rooms are not outside. There seems to be no difference from being inside when one goes to the smoking areas. That needs to be examined and, although I understand that such businesses are suffering perhaps the law is being interpreted too loosely. They are able to build these rooms that might as well be inside, yet because there is a small hole in the wall for ventilation it is deemed appropriate to smoke there.

It used to be just the smokers who would go outside to have a cigarette and then come back inside but now everyone is going out to these smoking rooms and staying there for the evening. They are thus subject to the secondary effects of passive smoking, which is completely undermining the smoking ban. I urge the Minister of State and her officials to revisit the legislation to see if it is too liberal and whether we are allowing too many variations of the smoking section, which are undermining the purpose of the ban itself.

I welcome the Bill, which is a great initiative. I hope we can get the pictures on to cigarette packets as soon as possible.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011

Statement made to the Dáil during the Report and Final Stages of the Bill, 19th July 2011

I support the sentiments expressed in amendment No. 8. We all met people on the campaign trail who, for one reason or another, could not be present in the country or their constituencies at the time of the election. For example, they might have been working in Dublin while being registered at home because that was where they wanted to vote, which is acceptable. The issue needs to be examined. Simultaneously, we need to consider the case for giving a vote to people who are forced to move abroad because of the country’s circumstances. If they are forced by a Government’s actions to leave their country, they should have a right to vote that Government out of office from abroad in favour of another which they hope will one day make things right and allow them to return. However, this Bill is not the place for that amendment; it should be included in more appropriate legislation. The proposal should be considered. Therefore, I urge the Minister to take the idea on board to determine whether the proposal could be incorporated further down the line.

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011

Statement to the Dáil during Report and Final stages of the Bill, 21st July 2011

I endorse much of what Deputy Kevin Humphreys has already said, particularly with regard to the levy on excess packaging which is important. We can be quite progressive in that regard if we so choose. I will confine my remarks to the possibility of a levy on incineration. I have spoken before, as many others did, about the importance of having that levy. If we want to avoid over-reliance on incineration and have a proper balance in the waste management matrix, there must be levies on incineration. I take the Minister’s point that at the moment such levies may be premature because the market has not established itself. We may need to wait for that to happen before we can bring in levies, which are essential. I would welcome any commitment from the Minister to examine the possibility of introducing levies at a future date. The Minister should have such powers in his armoury as we consider how to improve waste management. The Minister must have the ability to impose a levy at some future date when he feels the market is established and it is then necessary to move waste management mechanisms further up the hierarchy.

I welcome the Bill and support the Minister in his endeavours.

IT’s all happening here – Entrepreneurship in Ireland

445 new jobs to be created in government-supported start-up companies – Bruton

445 new jobs to be created in government-supported start-up companies – Bruton

Quarter two results for Enterprise Ireland backed companies show continued strong flow of entrepreneurial activity

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton today announced that 445 jobs will be created in 24 new high potential start-up companies which have been supported by government through Enterprise Ireland in the second quarter of 2011. The announcement follows on the 310 new jobs announced earlier this year as part of the Q1 results of Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start Ups programme. 

Making the announcement, Minister Bruton said

 “If we are to rebuild the economy and create the jobs of the future here, we must not only continue to attract high-end multinational companies, but we must also crucially ensure that more high potential small businesses can establish and expand here. Only an indigenous engine of economic growth can create the successful future we all want for Ireland.

“In order to achieve this, we must focus on three things:

• reducing costs and red tape;
• improving access to finance; and
• encouraging innovation in every way we can, including through government supports and ensuring that start-ups can benefit from the vast experience of our multinationals.

“Today’s announcement that over 440 jobs will be created in indigenous companies supported by Government in the second quarter of the year is very good news. Many of these companies are operating in precisely the innovative sectors that the Government is targeting for growth: clean tech, life sciences, ICT and financial services. This comes on the back of Ireland’s continued improvement in the global innovation rankings – 13^th in the 2011 Global Innovation Index, up from 19^th in 2010.

“My plan to create an indigenous engine of economic growth will ensure that Government actions are directed towards ensuring that more companies like these can establish and grow and provide the basis for Ireland’s economic recovery”.

Commenting on the announcement, Greg Treston, Head of High Potential Start Ups and Scaling at Enterprise Ireland said: ‘These 24 companies come from a broad range of sectors, confirming that there are significant opportunities for new export-focussed business start ups, particularly in life sciences, bio-tech and medical technology, cleantech, food, telecommunications, internet services and other niche areas.  Enterprise Ireland is working closely with these companies in building their business and their international market presence.  These are ambitious companies, with highly innovative products and business development strategies that will enable them to carve out a place in global markets, driving jobs and export sales growth at home’. 

Examples of some of the new projects include:

Pedestrian Diversion.

I wish to inform you that Dublin City Council at the Adjourned Monthly Meeting held on 25^th July 2011, having considered Report 235/2011of the Dublin City Manager in compliance with Section 138 of the Local Government Act 2001 informing the Council of works which  are about to commence and in compliance with the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, Part 8: The construction of approximately 200m of 2.0m to 2.5m high flood defence walls on both sides of the River Dodder between Lansdowne Road Bridge and the Lansdowne Railway Bridge, adopted the following motion:

 “That Dublin City Council notes Report No. 235/2011 and hereby approves the contents thereof”

The OPW plan to move on site on the 15^th August 2011 on the Marian College side of the river. The works will continue until Christmas 2011. The pathway beside the river will be closed off from Monday 29th August and local diversions will be put in place.

Temporary Road Closure

Dublin City Council is considering authorising the temporary closure of Warners Lane, Dublin 6, from Monday 22^nd August 2011 to Friday 2^nd September 2011 between 08:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs each day following a request received from the ESB.

The temporary road closure is to facilitate the installation of ESB ducting.

In addition to the traffic management plan as detailed on the webpage below, pedestrian and local access will be maintained during the period of the closure.

http://www.dublincity.ie/ROADSANDTRAFFIC/SCHEDULEDDISRUPTIONS/Pages/ScheduledDisruptionsHome.aspx

Any person may lodge an objection, in writing, to Dublin City Council, Roads & Traffic Department, Block 2 Floor 6, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.  The closing time and date for receipt of objections is 12:00 midday on Tuesday 9^th August 2011.  You can fax your objection to (01) 2222 813.

Temporary Road Closure

Dublin City Council is considering authorising the temporary closure of Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2, from Cumberland Road to Leeson Street Lower from Monday 5^th September 2011 to Friday 9^th September 2011 between 08:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs each day following a request received from the ESB.

The temporary road closure is to facilitate the installation of ESB ducting

In addition to the traffic management plan as detailed on the webpage below, pedestrian and local access will be maintained during the period of the closure.

http://www.dublincity.ie/ROADSANDTRAFFIC/SCHEDULEDDISRUPTIONS/Pages/ScheduledDisruptionsHome.aspx

Any person may lodge an objection, in writing, to Dublin City Council, Roads & Traffic Department, Block 2 Floor 6, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.  The closing time and date for receipt of objections is 12:00 midday on Tuesday 9^th August 2011.  You can fax your objection to (01) 2222 813.

A note to supporters from Eoghan Murphy

2.8.2011

Dear Friend,

Five months ago I was elected with your support to represent Fine Gael and Dublin South East in Dáil Éireann. Following the election my colleagues and I assumed our new briefs in earnest, conscious of the commitment we gave to the people to give our all from day one.

The Taoiseach appointed me to a number of positions: Member of the Public Accounts Committee; Chairperson of the Internal Committee on Transport, Sport, Tourism and the Arts; and, Head of Delegation to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly. I was also invited on to the European Leadership Network, which deals with WMD proliferation issues, and sent on the Taoiseach’s behalf to a summit in China.

On the legislative side I have been working with the Minister for Justice on a new entrepreneur and investment visa scheme; with the Minister for Enterprise on employment initiatives in the high tech sector; and, with the Minister for Transport on some upcoming transport improvements. In addition I have spoken on a number of issues and bills in the Dáil chamber. I know I am privileged to do so. (These statements are all available here).

Work in the constituency continues and my office in Ranelagh remains as a resource to the community and the Party. Through Parliamentary Questions I am making direct representations on your behalf on issues of real importance. Recently I have been engaging with some schools in relation to their Special Needs Assistant allocations, as well as businesses and traders following the government’s jobs initiative. We began delivering the enclosed flyer to every home in the constituency at the beginning of July and I have spent the last few weekends canvassing. These initiatives have been well received.

I think you will agree that the new government led by Taoiseach Enda Kenny has hit the ground running. People tell me daily that it most certainly is a case of ‘new government, new approach’.

Real and genuine reforms have already taken place and there is more to come. Though it will take time for the economy to right itself, we are moving in to positive news territory and a real increase in confidence (and thus spending, employment, tax receipts etc) cannot be far behind. We must continue to dedicate the majority of our efforts to this front.

My sincere thanks again for your support. It means a lot. I sit here with my colleagues in government working on your behalf thanks to your dedicated efforts to put us here and to put the country first.

All the very best,