It has been a busy few weeks on thecampaigntrail and the team and I have really enjoyed getting to meet and chat to people in every part of the constituency. It has been an honour to speak to people about my priorities for our area, whether it be a reliable, effective and safe public transport system, adequate investment in school buildings and places, affordable housing or coping with the pressure on public services in rapidly growing areas. As ever, if you would like to know more, please feel free to get in touch, or follow my work onFacebook,Instagram,TikTokandX.
Le gach dea-ghuí,
Shane
Prioritising public transport for Dublin Mid-West
Whether it’s a need for increased frequency on the 69, or getting to grip with the ghost buses on the 13 or matching timetables for different modes of transport, or sufficient capacity on trains,public transport is top of mind for people I speak to in Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Saggart, Lucan or Newcastle. While we’ve made some progress in deliveringadditional bus servicesin Lucan, we need someone tobeat the drumto improve public transport provision in Dublin Mid-West. We can’t lose sight of the big ticket items either.Lucan needs a Luas. Good, reliable public transport isn’t a nice to have, it is a core quality of life issue. If elected I will lead the campaign to get a Luas for Lucan.
Ensuring adequate school places and school buildings
Our schools are the foundation of our future, buttoo many are still waitingfor essential upgrades and more places, such as Divine Mercy JNS and SNS, Lucan Community College, St Thomas’ JNS, Scoil Chrónáin and Scoil Áine Naofa. Whileprogress on deliveryof the new school building for Griffeen Community College is welcome, I want to be a strong local voice to fight for our schools and, if elected, to help ensure we can complete these vital building projects. Additionally, we need to look at the pressure on secondary school places in our area and start planning for a secondary school forNewcastleand a common enrolment system for secondary schools in Lucan.
Keeping our streets safe
I was pleased to attend the recentLocal Policing Forumpublic meeting in Ballyowen Castle Community Centre. Thanks to LPF Chair, Eddie Mullins, and Supt Dolan and his team for attending and engaging. he opportunity was used to raised public concerns about anti-social behaviour and open drug dealing in the area. Maintaining a visible and engaging Garda presence is key to dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour. In addition, having a respectful and positive relationship with An Garda Siochána and the emergency services is the bedrock of keeping our communities safe. That’s why, as Chair of the Joint Policing Committee, I launched theJunior Safety Forumto build that relationship between our young people and the Gardaí.
Delivering progress on Ballyowen Shopping Centre
Persistence pays off! After over a year of my requesting a meeting with Robzala, the management company of Ballyowen Shopping Centre, their directors presented at our area committee meeting today, on foot of a motion I placed. I put a number of questions to them, specifically on the state of the car park, the road through the centre and the pedestrian surface. You can find a full recap of their answershere.
Supporting our local sports clubs and groups
Congratulations also tolocal sports clubs and groupswho were successful in receiving South Dublin County Council grants, including Lucan Boxing Club who I helped with their application. It was wonderful to be able to welcome An Tánaiste to Dublin Mid-West to meet with local sports clubs inLucan,Clondalkinand Palmerstown over the past few weeks where the pressure on playing facilities for all clubs in Dublin Mid-West was raised directly with him. I am pleased to see a manifesto commitment to a fund to assist local authorities to purchase land for playing space as this is crucial to enabling growth of all clubs.
Improving our public realm
I have been very pleased to see various improvements to our public realm take place over the past few weeks. I am happy to see thefootpath reclaimedin Ballydowd Grove, which will be beneficial to people with mobility needs.New bollardshave been installed in Glenvale and the paths have been upgraded in Hermitage Park. I have also reported a number oftrip hazards, such as in Castle Park in Clondalkin and Primrose Lane in Lucan. Congratulations to all our localTidy Townsgroups on their excellent results in this year’s competition and it is great to see newresidents’ associationsbeing set up, such as the Wood Avens Residents Association who had their first clean-up recently.
Road maintenance and safety
I am frustrated that the promised repair works to the R148 junction by the Oval in Palmerstown have not been commenced yet. The latest update I have is that work will commence before the end of this month. I am pleased to see theinstallationof a pedestrian crossing near Palmerstown Woods, which I requested. It was good to see thepedestrian crossing markingsrefreshed at the Castle Road/Willsbrook Road roundabout, as well as outside the entrance to Coláiste Cois Life and Gaelscoil Naomh Pádraig to be remarked as well, following my request, as well asramp markingson Commons Road. I was also very pleased to seeinstallation of public lighting on Barney’s Lane, following my representation. Thanks to members of St.Francis FC and Clondalkin Rugby Club who raised the matter with me.
On the airwaves
I have been featuring on local and national radio stations to speak about my and Fianna Fáil priorities as part of the general election campaign. I took part in theHard Shoulderon Newstalk, discussing public transport and infrastructure. I was a member of the panel on the Late Debate on RTÉ Radio 1 discussing the cost of living – you can listen backhere. I took questions from atown hallon Lunchtime Live on Newstalk and was pleased to be part of Liffey Sound’spre-election programmes.
Supporting our local businesses
Our businesses are central to our development and progress, and as a public representative, I have always sought to support them as much as I can as well as celebrating theirsuccess. I am a regular attendee at theLucan Business2Businessnetwork (part of South Dublin Chamber) as well as a director ofACE EnterprisePark. During his recent visit to Clondalkin, I took theopportunityto invite local businesses to speak with Minister Jack Chambers about the challenges they are facing. The introduction of thePowerUp Grantis a very welcome start.
Engaging with young people
I really enjoying meeting younger people to discuss the general election and politics, right across the constituency. Thanks to Mr Weldon for inviting me to meet thePolitics and Society Classin Holy Family Community School in Rathcoole. I also enjoyed meeting theMonday Moversat Ronanstown Youth Service to discuss the upcoming general election and my candidacy. Some of the most rewarding conversations have been in our primary schools – thanks to the student councils inDivine Mercy SNSBalgaddy (my alma mater) andSt Martin’s NSin Brittas for putting me through my paces!
Out and About!
It has been a fantastic few months for various community events all across the area – well done to the organisers and volunteers who have put such great events together. A particular highlight was popping into theDice Players one-day workshop. This group has grown so much over the past few years and it has been so good to see Palmerstown Parish Centre hosting amateur dramatics once again!
As we enter the final week of the campaign, I need your energy, enthusiasm and dedication on my team! If you are somebody who believes in making positive changes within our community and are willing to dedicate some time and effort, I would be grateful to have you on board for these final days.Emailme now to sign up to be part of Team Shane. Thank you!
WORKING WITH OUR DUBLIN MEP
Councillor Shane Moynihan, c/o County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland
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