Public consultation has started on several bus routes in the area. Dublin Bus are proposing changes to bus routes 4, 11, 13, 13A, 19, 19A, 83 and 220.
Dublin Bus are holding an information session on Wednesday 23rd March from 2pm - 8pm in Na Fianna GAA Club, St. Mobhi Road, Glasnevin.
As part of Network Direct almost every bus route in the area is being changed. There are some improvements proposed but also some significant changes that will mean longer walking distances to buses in some areas.
It is hugely important that you take a look at the Dublin Bus proposals and see how they affect you, and to make a submission to Dublin Bus.
Alternatively, for specific queries on route changes, please call Dublin Bus on 8734222.
If you have any concerns about the proposal and cannot make it to the information session, it is very important that you email Dublin Bus at networkdirect@dublinbus.ie before 2nd April 2011.
I was truly honoured to get the opportunity to speak on the first sitting of the 31st Dáil, last Wednesday 9th March.
The video below comes in about two minutes into my speech. Here's how it began:
"It is an honour to stand in this Chamber today as a public representative for the people of the Dublin North-West constituency. I feel extremely proud that my family and friends are also here to witness it. I congratulate all Members on their success in being elected to this House to represent the people at this important time, our new Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore. I also endorse their selection of new Ministers who have no lack of experience, competency or vision and who, I am sure, will bring a new energy and focus to their respective portfolios.
From knocking on doors during the election, all Members will know of the fear, heartbreak and betrayal that exists across the country. We are here because we listened to those concerns and vowed to do everything we could, if given the endorsement, to chart a new course in politics and rebuild the economy in a fair and just way. In this time of great uncertainty, the public now looks to us for the leadership which was lacking in recent years. That absence of leadership reinforced a feeling that politicians were detached from the lives of ordinary people and whose voices were not heard.
I have lived all my life in the Dublin North-West constituency. I sought election because I know of the impact of decisions made in this House on communities such as mine. I come from Ballymun, a community often marginalised and stigmatised. It is one in which young people are more likely to drop out of school, work in low-paid jobs and live in social housing. I understand the real consequences of the decisions made in this House on such communities. As a teacher I worked with young people in Finglas and Ballymun for 11 years. Over that time, I have seen the hopes and expectations of our young people change considerably. During the boom times, the students I taught had high expectations of a secure and prosperous future after leaving school. Today, young people face an uncertain future in a society blighted by unemployment and emigration.
What has not changed, however, is the potential of our young people, a fact which must not be forgotten. I am an example of what belief and investment in our young people can achieve. As a Member of the Government side, I want to ensure a similar belief and investment is shown to all our young people again."
The speech continues (in video):
It was a really special moment for me, but as the Programme for Government rightly says: "There isn't a moment to be lost."
I'll be taking all this enthusiasm into the first full week of Dáil business tomorrow!
Margeret Aylward Community College in Dublin North West where the students of the Junior Certificate CSPE quizzed Eamon, and candidates Roisin Shortall TD and Cllr John Lyons about political reform, third level fees and healthcare. The standard of questions was very high, and there's clearly an impressive new generation of journalists on their way.
After answering the students' questions Eamon, Roisin and John visited the science labs at DCU to see the latest cutting edge developments in Information Technology.
Labour has vowed not to increase income taxes on people earning less than €100,000 a year if elected to government.
Party leader Eamon Gilmore said the commitment would appear in Labour’s policy document on taxation to be published tomorrow.
The party will also be proposing changes to the universal social charge to mitigate its effects on lower-income families.
Launching the party’s election campaign this morning, Mr Gilmore said Labour’s platform was based on three clear principles: jobs, reform and fairness.
The party’s plans for greater fairness in society would embrace a more just taxation system, an end to the two-tier health system and an approach to public sector reform based on outcomes.
He said Labour would cut another 18,000 public sector jobs but this would be achieved through voluntary redundancies and early retirement and as part of an overall reform package.
Other parties have suggested up to 30,000 jobs will have to go in the public sector, but Mr Gilmore said this could only be achieved through compulsory redundancies.
Asked whether he would make a commitment to voluntary redundancies a core demand for participation in any coalition, the Labour leader said the party was seeking a mandate from the people based on its approach.
Through the campaign, he said, Labour would focus on each principle in turn, by publishing its plans for change. The party’s manifesto will be published on February 11th.
Mr Gilmore said the opinion polls showed that Labour could win the election with only 6 per cent separating the party and Fine Gael in the latest poll.
Labour in government would stand up for Ireland renegotiating the EU-IMF deal and the budgetary “straitjacket” imposed by Fianna Fáil.
