Raising the Importance of Dublin Fire Brigade Ambulance Service in Dáil Éireann

Yesterday, I raised a Topical Issue Debate on the Dublin Fire Brigade Emergency Ambulance Service. 

The DFB Ambulance Service is an exemplar service that is replicated by other fire-based emergency medical services around the world. 

In the Dáil, I called on the Minister to ensure any review being carried out is independent and recognises the quality of service provided by Dublin Fire Brigade as a starting point. 

You can watch the debate and my response to the Minister (at 8:14) here:

BALLYMUN RESIDENTS NEED CLARITY ON FUTURE OF SHOPPING CENTRE

Today I called on all stakeholders involved in Ballymun Shopping Centre to bring forward new plans after Tesco announced it would close its store in Ballymun Shopping Centre on 27th April. 

Tesco in Ballymun Shopping Centre

Local residents have known for some time that Tesco will eventually be closing, however, it still comes as a shock now that the date has been announced. 

First of all, it is welcome news that all 52 employees in Tesco will keep their jobs and be reassigned to other stores. This is hugely important for local employment, which has begun to recover in the last two years in line with the rest of the country.

The loss of Tesco to the shopping centre will of course be felt by local residents who rely on a supermarket in the shopping centre. It will also affect other local businesses in the centre who benefit from an anchor tenant like Tesco being there.

Unfortunately, the original plans for the site were stalled and the shopping centre site is now in NAMA. Since being elected, I have been in regular contact with NAMA and BRL in relation to this site and had met with the previous owners, Treasury Holdings, to get the ball rolling again on this project.

Original Plans for Ballymun Town Centre - Treasury Holdings 

I have provided local residents with regular updates on plans for the centre, particularly when a new plan was agreed between BRL, NAMA and Dublin City Council, for a 3 phase redevelopment last year.

These stakeholders now urgently need to come together and push forward with plans for Ballymun Main Street. 

As someone from the community, I will continue to work with all involved to give Ballymun Main Street the shopping facilities it needs and to bring new jobs to the area.

Local Meeting on Online Bullying - next Monday 10th March @ 7.30pm

I am hosting public meeting hosting on cyberbullying at 7.30pm on Monday, 10^th March in St Kevin’s Secondary School, Ballygall Road East, Dublin 11.

I know the issue of online bullying is a growing concern for parents, teachers and of course our young people. It may be an issue you have already engaged with in some way in your own work.

The panel for the discussion will be:

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte TD; 

Brian O’Neill, Chair of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group; 

Nigel O’Callaghan, Youth Engagement Officer with ReachOut.com.

The meeting is being held as part of a local online safety campaign and survey I carried out in several schools in the constituency. 

The Internet Content Governance Advisory Group, set up by Minister Rabbitte is also accepting submissions from the public until 18^th March and I will make a submission arising from the discussion at the meeting. 

I very much welcome your input in this regard, even if you are unable to attend on Monday 10^th.

I look forward to talking to you on Monday 10^th March and using the discussions at the meeting to inform my submission on the subject.