SENATOR PASCHAL DONOHOE – EAST WALL COMMUNITY UPDATE
As a member of the Oireachtas representing the East Wall community, I am writing to give you an update on my work in Seanad Eireann on your behalf. I also want to update you on local matters that may be of interest to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to raise any local or national matter.
REPRESENTING YOU IN SEANAD EIREANN
As a Senator, I work on legislation and issues that are important nationally and which have an impact on our local community. Issues I will be focusing on will include new legislation on social and affordable housing, standards in rental accommodation and proposals for increasing investment into our economy. I also use the Seanad to raise East Wall issues with government departments and ministers.
LOCAL POSTAL SERVICES
Local residents have contacted me in relation to continued difficulties with postal services in the North Strand and East Wall area. The delay in local people receiving their mail is an issue that I have raised with An Post. They have informed me that these delays were a consequence of new procedures being introduced at their Fairview Office. The company has assured me it will continue to investigate the matter and that a normal level of service will be provided in the future. I have asked An Post to confirm to me when the correct level of service will be introduced as the levels of inconvenience experienced by local residents is unacceptable.
THE FULL FINE GAEL TEAM – RAY MCADAM AND BART BRUZEWICZ.
Fine Gael has recently appointed two local area representatives to improve our work for the local community. They are Ray McAdam and Bart Bruzewicz. Ray is a native of Co. Cavan, lives in Stoneybatter and works with me dealing with issues of importance to the inner city. He can be contacted at 086 – 190 6209 or by e-mail on raymcadam@gmail.com. Bart was born in Poland and has been living and working in Dublin for the last 4 years. He works for a Dublin based security company. Bart can be contacted at 086 2416049 or by e-mail on bruzewicz@wp.pl.
LOCAL DUBLIN BUS SERVICE
As a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, I have raised the issue of the future and frequency of the Number 53 bus route with Dublin Bus. They have contacted me to acknowledge there are problems in the efficient running of this route. As a result, I have been informed that the company is working on introducing a new schedule for the Number 53 route given the unreliability of the current timetable. I have written to Dublin Bus to ask them to provide details of their planned improvements. I will provide you with a further update on the matter.
TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
Dublin City Council plan to provide new traffic calming measures in the East Wall area. They include:
- Pedestrian crossing and traffic calming measures on East Road near the junction with Church Road.
- The provision of speed ramps on Merchants Road to be installed before the year’s end.
The Council are also evaluating measures to upgrade traffic signals on East Wall Road at the junction with Alfie Byrne Road. This plan will be subject to the availability of funding.
DRAFT DOCKLANDS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority has recently published a new draft Master Plan for the Docklands Area for the period from 2008 to 2013. This plan is open to public consultation with the deadline for submissions set for September 23rd 2008. Submissions can be made to The Secretary, Dublin Docklands Development Authority, 52-55 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Docklands, Dublin 2.
This plan will involve the spending of an additional €4.5 billion across the next 5 years. Specific amendments are proposed in relation to the North Lotts Planning Scheme to facilitate improved urban structure and higher density development, and at Custom House Docks to facilitate the development of a new cultural facility and the improvement of the amenities of the area. I will be meeting the authority myself to review this plan so please do not hesitate to make me aware of any views or concerns on this draft plan.
I am privileged to serve you in Seanad Eireann. If I can ever be of help to you please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours Sincerely
Senator Paschal Donohoe/
FINE GAEL – DUBLIN CENTRAL