Archive for the 'Press Releases' Category

O’Gorman meets Minister Cuffe over concerns about Castleknock development

Published on August 3, 2010 in Castleknock, Community Issues, Development Plan, Planning and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

03/08/10

Green Party Dublin West representative, Roderic O’Gorman and a delegation from the Castleknock Residents Action Group (CRAG) met with the Minister for State for Planning, Ciaran Cuffe to discuss concerns about a large scale development in Castleknock Village.

“Last week I took a delegation from the Castleknock Residents Action Group (CRAG) to meet the Minister for State for Planning, Ciaran Cuffe. CRAG had requested this meeting in order to be able to discuss with Minister Cuffe their concerns about the large commercial and residential development in the centre of Castleknock Village behind the old Flower Shop. This development has met with massive resistance from residents of the village, but has been pushed strongly by Fingal County Council”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“Myself and the CRAG representative outlined to the Minister our concerns about how Fingal County Council drew up an Urban Centre Strategy for Castleknock, but never put the draft version out to public consultation and never permitted local councillors to officially vote on it. We also highlighted how the architects firm that drew up the UCS for the Council were also at the same time drawing up the planning application for the developer of the Flower Shop site”.

“While as a Minister in the Department of the Environment, Ciaran Cuffe cannot interfere with the grant of planning permission by a local authority or An Bord Pleanala, he did express his surprise at the manner in which this situation was handled and in particular, the way in which the views of the residents of Castleknock Village have been completely ignored. He asked myself and CRAG to supply him with more details of our concerns surrounding the process followed by Fingal County Council”.  

“Going forward, it is absolutely essential that all references to this flawed Urban Centre Strategy are deleted from the current draft of the Fingal County Development Plan, so that it does not get statutory approval through the back door. Both myself and CRAG will be pressuring local councillors to make this vital amendment”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information

Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777

Report on Planning Failures highlights importance of new Green Party Planning Laws – O’Gorman

Published on August 3, 2010 in Planning and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , .

 

03/08/10

Green Party Dublin West representative Roderic O’Gorman has stated that a report on planning failures during the Celtic Tiger period highlights the importance of recent new laws introduced by the Green Party in Government.

“The publication of the recent report ‘A Haunted Landscape: Housing and Ghost Estates in Post-Celtic Tiger Ireland’ by a number of planners highlights the awful legacy of the disasterious planning policies that were pursued at both national and local level during the Celtic Tiger period. In particular, it has highlighted the fact that in the examination of the economic crisis up to this point, very little emphasis has been placed on the role of bad planning in allowing the huge housing boom which, when it collapsed, crippled our economy”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“Many of the issues addressed by the report have now been addressed by the new Planning Act, 2010, which is the most significant reform of how planning in undertaken in this country in decades.  This new law was a key priority for the Green Party in Government. Our ministers will continue to work to ensure good planning across the country so that the mistakes that helped undermine our economy and left poor housing across the country can never be allowed happen again”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information: 087 417 9777

Update: See report of critical response to the NUIM document here

Civil Partnership Act is major milestone for equality in Ireland – O’Gorman

Published on July 13, 2010 in Politics and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , .

 

Dublin West Greens celebrate passage of Civil Partnership Bill

Dublin West Green Party representative, Roderic O’Gorman has welcomed the passage of the Civil Partnership Act as a major milestone for equality in Ireland.

“I am thrilled to see the passage of the Civil Partnership Act through the Dail and Seanad and being sent to the President for her signature. The new law will for the very first time recognise same-sex couples and give them a range of rights and responsibilities in areas such as taxation, inheritance, family property and domestic violence legislation. It will also give certain protections to both heterosexual and same-sex couples outside of marriage or civil partnership, if these relationships break down”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“While some aspects of the debate on this bill have been contentious, I believe that the vast majority of the public understand that the legal recognition of same-sex relationships is something that is long overdue. This bill has been a priority for the Green Party in Government and we have worked along with the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General to ensure that it gives the maximum amount of protection possible, within the constraints of the Constitution”.

“The taxation and social welfare provisions for same-sex couples will be finalised in the Finance Act after the Budget. This means that we can expect to see the first civil partnership ceremonies early 2011”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Report on mortgage debt has to be implemented swifty – O’Gorman

Published on July 13, 2010 in Politics, Press Releases and housing. 0 Comments Tags: , .

13/07/10

Green Party Dublin West representative, Roderic O’Gorman has welcomed the report by the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Expert Group and has called for swift action in implementing its recommendations.

“I am delighted that the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Expert Group has already published its first interim report, having only been set up in February of this year. This expert group arose out of a commitment the Green Party had inserted in the new Programme for Government to look at mechanisms to avoid foreclosures on peoples homes”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“This document makes a number of interim recommendations, such as the creation of a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process and the idea that those entering such a process should not face any further interest penalties or charges for falling into arrears. The expert group is also proposing a broadening of Mortgage Interest Supplement and an extension of the current Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, designed to give protection to those who cannot make repayments”.

“A substantial number of people are facing problems paying their mortgages because of job losses, wage cuts or interest rate increases. The measures being proposed by the expert group are part of a range that the Green Party are having implemented in Government to ensure that peoples homes are protected”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Press Release – O’Gorman calls for new local objectives in draft Fingal Development Plan

Published on May 10, 2010 in Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Development Plan and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

 

10/05/10

 Green Party Dublin West representative, Roderic O’Gorman has called on a number of new local objectives for Blanchardstown and Castleknock to be included in the new Fingal Development Plan. He was speaking at a public meeting organised by the Dublin West Green Party.

“I’m calling on Fingal County Council to include two local area objectives within the new Development Plan, addressing important issues in Blanchardstown and Castleknock villages”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“There is a major need for a pedestrian crossing to be put in place at the junction of the Castleknock Road and Roselawn Road. For too long, pedestrians and commuters going to and from Castleknock Train Station have had to take their lives in their hands as they cross the road here. The new County Development Plan is an ideal opportunity for this issue to be finally addressed”.

“In my original submission, I called for a height restriction of no more than 3 stories to be put in place on any future buildings in Blanchardstown, Clonsilla and Castleknock. I was delighted that this was adopted for Blanchardstown, but the same needs to be achieved for Castleknock. This is particularly important as residents of the village are concerned that the decision to grant planning permission for a major development in the centre of village will act as a precedent to allow other multi-storey developments. There needs to be a height restriction on future development in Castleknock, written into the Development Plan”.

The public meeting in Diswellstown Community Centre heard from Gavin Daly, a planning consultant, on how the planning process works and how to make an effective submission. Damien Carbury, Chairperson of the Dublin 15 Community Council, also addressed the meeting on the key priorities for the Dublin 15 area.

“I organised this meeting in order to encourage public participation in the round of the Development Plan. If we want to see good planning decisions in Dublin 15, its essential we use the development plan process to achieve these”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Press Release – Resolution on 37X route welcome – O’Gorman

Published on April 25, 2010 in Carpenterstown, Press Releases and Transport. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

19/04/10

Green Party Dublin West representative, Roderic O’Gorman has welcomed the resolution by Dublin Bus of recent issues regarding the 37X route.

“I recently raised an issue with Dublin Bus regarding the number of unscheduled stops that the 37X service was making on its way to and from UCD. In practice, the service was making a considerable number of stops on what is advertised as a ‘non-stop’ part of the journey on the Dublin Bus website. A number of students from the Diswellstown area had raised the issue with me stating it was unfair that they were charged the extra fair for an ‘express’ service when this was not the service that they were receiving”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“I am pleased to be able to say that Mr. Paddy Doherty, the Operations Manager for Dublin Bus, has been in contact with me and has pledged to address the issue. Clarification notices have been given to all drivers operating the route so that they are aware of where they should and should not be stopping. Dublin Bus has also apologies to the students travelling to Belfield who originally raised the complaint”.

“I glad that this issue has been resolved. Dublin Bus should be commended for moving so quickly on the concerns I raised with them. I will continue to monitor the situation on the 37X service to ensure that these issues do not arise again”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information

Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777

Press Release – O’Gorman welcomes Dublin Bus examination of 37 X route after complaints

Published on April 25, 2010 in Carpenterstown, Press Releases and Transport. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

05/04/10

Dublin West Green Party representative, Roderic O’Gorman has welcomed the statement by Dublin Bus that it will examine the 37 X bus route after receiving a number of complaints.

“I recently received some queries from a number of students using the 37X service that runs from Diswellstown through the City Centre and onto UCD. According to the timetable available on the Dublin Bus website, the 37 X goes from Carpenterstown via Castleknock then non-stop to Hanlon’s Corner, before picking up passengers there and travelling into the city centre and then on to Belfield”.

“However, apparently the bus stops at all bus stops from Castleknock to Hanlon’s Corner. This pattern is repeated on the return journey in the late afternoon – the 37X stops at all stops from Hanlon’s Corner to Auburn Avenue, even though it is advertised that this is a ‘non-stop’ part of the journey”.

“Obviously, the 37X is advertised as an ‘express’ service – hence the €2.50 fare is different to other fares. However, it seems that in reality, the service is not any different from the usual 37, on the relevant stretches of the journey. What is the point of charging people extra if they are not going to get the faster service?”.

“I’ve contacted Dublin Bus on this issue and raised the complaints made by the students. I’m glad to be able to say that the company have agree to examine the complaints and come back to me with clarification on the issue”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information

Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777

Press Release – Diswellstown decision from An Bord Pleanala deeply disappointing – O’Gorman

Published on April 25, 2010 in Carpenterstown, Planning and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , .

02/03/10

Green Party Dublin West representative, Roderic O’Gorman has described as deeply disappointing the decision of An Bord Pleanala to grant permission for 438 houses and apartments in Diswellstown, Dublin 15.

“I’m hugely disappointed by the decision of An Bord Pleanala to reject my appeal against Fingal County Council’s grant of planning permission for 438 houses and apartments behind St Patricks NS in Diswellstown”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“Over the last year and a half, I have been actively campaigning in the Carpenterstown area against this development. Like many residents, I submitted an objection to the original proposal. When Fingal County Council granted permission, I decided to make an appeal to An Bord Pleanala on behalf of the Dublin West Green Party”.

“My key reason for making this appeal was that I felt that Fingal County Council did not follow the Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas. Specifically, I felt that the Council had not required the developer to specify where in the area the extra demand for school places created by the new development would be met. As we know, the nearby St Patricks NS has been under huge pressure with numbers for the last few years”.

“While both Fingal County Council and An Bord Pleanala placed a condition on the developer to keep free a piece of land in front of St Patricks NS for the schools future expansion, I still feel there was a failure to adequately consider the extra pressure that 438 new houses and apartments are going to put on the existing schools in the area. It seems that neither the Council nor An Bord Pleanala have learned the lesson that when the increase in housing outpaces the available school places, it creates huge problems for parents and major pressures on the existing schools”.

“We can only hope that due to the huge surplus of housing in the Dublin 15 area, the apartments and houses in Diswellstown will not be built in the lifetime of the planning permission”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information

Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777