Issued by Cllr Dermot Looney www.dermotlooney.com 085-7089955 [email protected] September 2009 Issue Incorporating Greenhills Labour & 12 News Now, Let’s Build A Real Alternative: COUNCILLOR DERMOT LOONEY I would like to say a sincere thank you to the hundreds of local people who placed their trust in me in the local elections on June 5th. With 2,329 first preference votes I was elected to County Council for the fourth of six seats in the ‘ Central’ electoral area.

The achieved three seats out of six in this area, a victory made all the more spectacular by the fact that all three candidates were run- ning for the first time.

As the youngest candidate in the field, election seemed an unlikely prospect when I started my campaign over a year before polling day. But we set out from the start to engage the community in our campaign. We knocked on more doors, dropped of these issues inside. more information leaflets, talked to Inside more local residents and got more I want you to get involved in ensuring Victory on St. Peter’s School Site local people involved than any other a community-led response in the The dangerous ‘lake’ at the rear of St campaign. tough times ahead. Please contact me Peter’s School on Limekiln Road has been at the details on the top right of this drained and remedial works have been However, this is just the end of the page with your ideas, questions and made to the site on foot of pressure beginning. comments. Better yet, why not join from Cllr Dermot Looney. More on Pg 2. the local Labour team to build the Too many of our political representa- real alternative for our community? Hotel Scam Slammed tives seem to disappear between Cllr Dermot Looney has called for the elections. For me, though, this is Thank you for the trust you have closure of two Tallaght hotels posing as where the real work starts. My elec- placed in me. Throughout my cam- apartment blocks. The hotels, built by tion is a mandate for change on the paign I was uncompromising in stand- troubled developer Liam Carroll, are in Council and in our community. ing up for working people, the elderly breach of planning law. More on Pg 3. and the excluded. Now I’m carrying I have already been involved in a those politics to the County Council. Ashleaf Plans Thrown Out number of initiatives at Council level Plans for a 5-story redevelopment of the and in making representations on Go raibh míle maith agaibh, Ashleaf Shopping Centre have been rejected by An Bord Pleanála, to the behalf of local communities and resi- relief of local residents. More on Pg 3. dents; you can read more about some Dermot

Dermot Looney is working with TD and the local Labour ream to ensure a real alternative for... GREENHILLS - TALLAGHT - - PERRYSTOWN - Local News for Our Area action based on the Council’s warnings our DUBLIN 12 campaign secured,” noted Cllr Looney. “It is worth noting that the school itself was not connected to these problems and St Peter’s Site Victory Cllr Dermot Looney celebrating with support- Cllr Dermot Looney has welcomed news did all it could to ensure remedial works ers at the election count in the NBA, Tallaght that the building site at the rear of St were carried out. Vigilant residents on /Beechfield and other parts of the coun- Peter’s School on Limekiln Road has been Limekiln Rd and Temple Manor who ty. One of the most significant walkways cleaned up, with the vast “lake” of rain- pushed the issue are to be congratulated in Dublin 12 is Keadeen Walkway in water gathered in the basement and foun- on their victory, but we now need to Greenpark, which acts as a pedestrian dations being drained and covered in. ensure the appropriate development of this site in the coming months and years.” route for hundreds of people each day. “I am pushing for an adequate cleaning “Ensuring the clean up of this dangerous regime for Keadeen Walkway and the site was one of my highest priorities dur- Lane Cleaning removal of weeds,” noted Cllr Looney. “I ing the recent election campaign. After encourage all local residents who spot lit- months of pushing on the issue and work- Cllr Dermot Looney has made several rep- ter, dumping or other problems in their ing with local residents, the developer - resentations to ensure the clean up of laneways to report it to me immediately Promster Developments - finally took laneways in Greenpark, Greenhills, Limekiln, Perrystown, Cherryfield so I can raise the matter as a priority.” DUBLIN 6w Looney Supports Spawell Workers Cllr Dermot Looney joined picketing workers from the bar and nightclub at the Spawell on August 18th and 26th to offer his full support and solidarity - and that of the Labour Party. The derelict site of the former McHugh’s Shopping Centre, which has remained vacant since 2003 “The conduct of CB Taverns, who took ures in recent weeks to attempt to recov- over the bar lease only a year ago, has McHugh’s Site Update er this site for the Greenhills community,” been truly appalling in this matter,” Cllr 6 years on, and the derelict former site of said Cllr Looney. Looney said. “When the bar was closed, the McHugh’s Shopping Centre on St workers were owed two full weeks James’ Road continues to be the major “In the short term, I have made an wages, wages for another 3 day week and issue for residents of Greenhills and enforcement complaint as to the use of holiday pay. They are also owed answers Limekiln. After a campaign launched by the site for storing building material and as to how the company dealt with its final Dermot Looney last year, the site was vehicles. I have also sought to have the few weeks and what the future has in eventually entered onto the Derelict Sites appropriate development of the site store.” Register by the Council and the developer, included as a ‘Specific Local Objective’ of Sean McHugh, was fined for breaches of the County’s Development Plan and have “I’ve written to the company to demand planning enforcement regulations. The asked Council officials to prepare a report the immediate payment of outstanding Council are now pursuing the developer on a Compulsory Purchase Order or other wages to the workers - some of whom through the courts following his refusal to mechanisms to take over the site. Winning have been been there for more than 25 pay a levy issued for the dereliction. won’t come easy in this campaign - but years - and am in contact with the MAN- with the togetherness of local residents, DATE who are representing “I have embarked on a number of meas- we will succeed,” noted Cllr Looney. the 32 affected workers.” Wilderwood Pathway Cllr Dermot Looney has raised the need to repair the path in the green area beside Wilderwood Grove. “Recent con- struction meant that the path was put out of use. It has still not been resurfaced and the area is more rubble than path- way. We must ensure its immediate repair for residents in Kennington and Cllr Dermot Looney joined with picketing work- Wilderwood and students in St McDara’s ers outside the Spawell complex, Templeogue who use it on a daily basis.”

DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATE - CLLR DERMOT LOONEY: We are now entering a critical stage in the County’s Development Plan proce in South Dublin until 2016. Councillors have submitted various amendments to the draft plan. I have submitted 13 motions, including s (Greenhills), the Burmah Garage site (Wellington Lane), a neighbourhood park for Citywest, a community centre for Cherryfield/Beec 12. The Councillors will meet a number of times in September to amend the plan before it goes back out for public consultation. Pleas St James’ Rd Upgrade Roadworks on St James’ Rd in recent DUBLIN 24 weeks have caused disruption to motorists and pedestrians in Greenhills Estate. The Hotel Scam Slammed roadworks include the repair of parking bays, the replacement of ramps and traf- Developer Liam Carroll has been in the fic roundabouts and work on some foot- news for much of the summer, but little paths. has been mentioned of his most desper- ate plan yet - the illegal use of two Cllr Dermot Looney pic- “I don’t believe residents have been suffi- hotels at Tallaght Town Centre for per- manent dwellings. Rooms at the Glashaus tured with canvassers in ciently informed as to the disruption Limekiln Green caused or the timescale of the works,” and Tallaght Cross Hotels, which closed said Cllr Dermot Looney. “However, I’m due to lack of business, are now being glad to see a number of ramps being rented out as bedsits. “While some may No to Water Tax Plans replaced and footpaths being repaired find the idea of a luxury hotel room as their permanent accommodation appeal- given my frequent representations on Cllr Dermot Looney has said that the ing, the fact remains that this is a serious these over the past 18 months. I will con- Labour Party will lead a campaign planning breach,” Cllr Dermot Looney tinue to monitor to ensure appropriate against the introduction of domestic said. clean up works are carried out.” water charges at all levels. Cllr Looney was speaking on foot of the "An Bord “These rooms are not suitable for perma- Snip Nua" report and Commission on nent accommodation; they are without Ashleaf Plans Rejected Taxation, both commissioned by the any cooking facilities bar a microwave, Plans to develop a 5-storey complex at the government, which advocate a water and have no kitchen sinks or washing or site of the Ashleaf Shopping Centre were tax. This commitment has been previ- drying facilities. Developers like Carroll rejected by An Bord Pleanala in June. The ously indicated by Minister John have got away with too much too often. plans, which included the development of Gormley who said that the re-introduc- They can’t be allowed to circumvent apartments and an ‘apart-hotel’ at the tion of water charges was ‘inevitable.’ site, were steafastly opposed by local res- planning regulations which are made to protect residents and communitites from idents on Whitehall Rd West, Dangan, “I oppose the reintroduction of water inappropriate developments and unsus- Cromwellsfort Rd and charges,” Looney said. "So does the tainable residential communities. These Cherryfield/Beechfield as well as Cllr Labour Party. Resource struggles for illegal dwellings should be closed with Dermot Looney, who submitted a detailed water, particularly in the context of cli- adequate notice provided to those cur- objection to the original plans. “We now mate change, are hitting headlines across rently living there, many of whom, I need to ensure only appropriate develop- the world. But this latest proposal high- imagine, are not familiar with the illegal- ment at the site and ensure issues such as lights the difference between Labour’s ity of their dwellings.” traffic, sewage and water and the scale of philosophy and that of this conservative development are met in any future plans.” government; they look at water as a com- K’managh Bus Shelter modity to be rationed, while Labour views it within the rights framework.” Perrystown & Fernhill Cllr Dermot Looney has welcomed the re- installation of a bus shelter for “We believe that everybody has the right Kilnamanagh residents opposite the Traffic Calming to free, clean and safe water provided, Cuckoo’s Nest pub. “I campaigned to Council officials have confirmed to Cllr not through private companies, but ensure Dublin Bus provided this shelter Dermot Looney that 74 submissions were accountable public utilities. Water should for the hundreds of local people who received for the two traffic calming be paid for through general taxation, not catch the 77, 77a and 50 from this stop schemes in Fernhill and Dangan, Shelton, in the form of a regressive stealth tax." Muckross and Hillsbrook by the closing each day. We must always ensure that appropriate protection is given to com- date of June 5th. The submissions are now “After the recent election, I know that muters across our community to ensure being considered by the Council’s Roads working people are very concerned with more accessible public transport.” Dept before a final decision is made. the possibility of another stealth tax. As Cllr Dermot Looney pic- well as Labour, others on the left are on tured during the recent Cup Final for Tallaght record as opposing the water tax. Now local election campaign Cllr Dermot Looney has welcomed news it’s up to all other councillors on South canvassing early-morn- that this year’s FAI Cup Final will be held Dublin County Council – particularly those ing commuters at the in Fianna Fáil and - to come Belgard Luas stop. at Tallaght Stadium. “The opening of the Stadium has been a huge boost for the clean and state, as a matter of public Council and the area as well as for record, whether they will vote with us to Shamrock Rovers,” Looney said. oppose water charges.”

“With the continuing development of the ground and its now-increased capacity I believe it is an ideal home for the Cup Final while works at Lansdowne Rd con- tinue. Holding the blue ribband event of Irish football in Tallaght will be a boost to the profile of the stadium and to Tallaght ess which lays the legal basis for all planning in general. My only hope now is that my Cllr Dermot Looney with pecific local objectives for the McHugh’s Site own team - St Patrick’s Athletic - make it Pat Rabbitte TD and hfield and a childrens’ playground for Dublin through to this historic final and break Labour Youth’s Sean se contact me for further information. our 48-year dry spell!” Glennon in Manor Estate Nationalise, not ‘Left Alliance’ on SDCC O’Connell. The alliance, based on a strong policy Thanks to a strong campaign and huge dis- platform, decided to divert all funding NAMA-ise: Gilmore satisfaction with the Government, Labour from external Conferences into building won 9 of the 26 seats on South Dublin The Labour Party have said that the gov- South Dublin’s first ever homeless shelter. County Council in June’s local elections - ernment’s plans for NAMA are a danger- Cllr Mick Duff (Labour) was elected Mayor including 3 out of 6 in the new Tallaght ous gamble that will aid developers and at the first Council meeting, with Cllr Central Ward. Labour have gone on to banks and do little to ease the economic Paddy Cosgrave (Labour) elected Deputy form the first ever “Alliance of the Left” crisis. Labour leader, TD, Mayor. For more Council news check out on the Council with 3 Sinn Fein has said the banks should instead be sdcc.ie or dermotlooney.com - or get in Councillors and non-party Cllr Guss brought under public control, at least touch using the contact details below. temporarily, as the quickest, most effec- tive and least costly means of dealing Keep in Touch with your local Labour Team with the crisis. CLLR PAT “With public opposition to NAMA growing by the day, with many economists contin- DERMOT RABBITTE uing to express serious concerns about LOONEY TD the plan and with the Greens at sixes and sevens on the issue, the government A Proud Socialist Honest & Effective should look again at the case proposed by Voice for Dublin Representation in the Labour Party for temporary national- 6w, 12 and 24 Dublin South-West isation of the banks,” said Gilmore.

“The nationalisation approach proposed 80 St Columba’s Rd, Greenhills, Dublin 12 Dail Eireann, House, Dublin 2 by Labour avoids the requirement to email: [email protected] email: [email protected] value the bad loans in this highly uncer- phone: 085-7089955 phone: 01-6183980 tain environment. The State would take text: labourinfo to 085-7089955 clinics: Saturdays 2-3pm, TWS, ownership of the loans and the banks. web: dermotlooney.com 1 Main Street, Tallaght Village The process of writing down the bad facebook: facebook.com/dermotlooney loans would be vigorously pursued, and twitter: twitter.com/dlooney Your other local Labour Councillors are Cllr the normal lending would be resumed.” clinics: Mondays 8-9pm, Greenhills Pamela Kearns and Cllr Mick Duff (the cur- Community Centre, rear St Joseph’s Rd rent Mayor of South Dublin County). Mary “The key requirement is to ensure the (TBC) Upton TD represents Dublin South Central. restoration of credit to the Irish economy, which is vital to ensuring the survival of jobs and businesses. It is now almost twelve months since the full extent of the banking crisis emerged. The govern- ment has dithered and stumbled from cri- sis to crisis, but many small-medium sized enterprises are still unable to get credit. Jobs are being lost as a result.”

“Temporary nationalisation will be the most effective way to sort out the banks, get credit flowing again and ensure the protection of jobs, while at the same Just some of the local Labour team from the time minimising the risk to the taxpayer.” 2009 local election pictured at Greenhills Park No(t) Junk Mail! Residents across our community are Build the Real Alternative - Join Labour rightly concerned with the plethora The Labour Party offers the real alternative to the failed of junk mail coming in from compa- policies and practices of Fianna Fail. Across our local area, nies on a near-daily basis. Indeed, young and old are joining forces to reshape our community many residents have erected “No with values of equality, democracy, freedom and solidarity. Junk Mail” signs at their letterbox- Bring your talents, experience and ideas and join us in our es. campaign for a truly fair society. You can join the Labour Party or find our more information by filling the following form However, we do not believe this newslet- and returning it to 80 St Columba’s Road, Greenhills, Dublin 12. Alternatively, email or ter fits the category of ‘junk mail.’ We call using the contact details above. are not selling a product or service, but providing significant local news updates as well as filling an important democrat- Name: ______ic role. Hearing nothing from politicians Date of Birth: ______between elections is a similarly frequent Home Address: ______and more worrying complaint. Home Phone: ______/ Mobile Phone: ______Please contact us if you prefer to receive Email: ______this newsletter by email, or not at all. Join: Y / N More Info: Y / N (Please circle)