Agenda item

Motion 1 from Councillors Kevin Donoghue, Danny Byrne, Mannix Flynn, Claire Byrne and Daniel Ceitinn (carried forward from March SEAC meeting)

This area committee agrees that an oversight and consultative committee for the development of the Irish Glass Bottle site and Poolbeg West SDZ shall be established, as previously committed to.

 

The composition of the oversight and consultative committee should include:

 

1. An independent chairperson 

2. Councillors from the SEIC

3. Local residents

4. Members of the IGB housing action group

5. Other appropriate members

 

as determined and finalised at a meeting of local area councillors and relevant management to be held within 3 weeks of the passage of this motion, with a view to establishing the committee within 6 weeks.

Order: Withdrawn.

 

Motion 2 from Councillor Dermot Lacey

That in view of the elderly population in the area and the proximity to the Nursing Home that the Council would take urgent action to upgrade the footpaths along Merrion Road between the junction with Ailesbury Road and the Merrion Roman Catholic Church.

Order: Agreed.

Motion 3 from Councillor Mannix Flynn

That the South East Area Committee of DCC calls on the BID company (We Are Dublin Town) to give right-offs and rate reductions to the many businesses in the BID district that suffered a downturn of trade during the pandemic and who are continuing to this day to be impacted financially and negatively in their business.  Given the cost of energy prices staffing etc. and the increase in goods the customer demand is down as are business revenues.  The Government have given initiatives and indeed certain cases subsidised certain business activities and services.  Indeed DCC in many instances, are very empathetic and give considerations to reductions and right-offs taking into account each specific circumstance.

 

The BID levy is a double levy and a double rate on top of the DCC rate which means that businesses are unfairly impacted on by this BID levy.  It not warrants a special consideration for reductions and right-offs who are members of the BID district and are forced to pay this levy.

 

This committee hereby calls upon the BID executive and board to work with struggling businesses with the view to rates reductions and indeed, where appropriate, right-offs.

Order: Agreed.

 

Motion 4 from Councillor Mannix Flynn

That this South East Area Committee of DCC agrees to erect a plaque on the site of the former Focus Theatre at 6A Pembroke Place, Dublin.  Deirdre O’Connell was to the forefront on innovative theatre practices in Dublin for decades.  She formed the Focus Theatre in 1963 which went on to become one of the most successful theatre companies in Ireland, which led to the discovery of renowned actor / artists such as Tom Hickey, Gabriel Byrne, Johnny Murphy, First Lady Sabina Higgins to name but a few.  She specialized in classical European theatre and also gave a very warm welcome to new Irish writing and emerging Irish acting talent.

 

The Focus Theatre was always a welcoming place and Deirdre was always present for those seeking a career in the arts and also to welcome her audiences.  Deirdre was married to Luke Kelly, the world renowned balladeer.  Deirdre died in 2001 leaving behind one of the most extraordinary legacies of independent theatre in Ireland.

Order: Agreed.

 

Motion 5 from Councillor Mary Freehill

The lack of oversight requirement by Uisce Éireann regarding service to the consumer is causing serious distress for many families and individuals.  This committee agrees that we receive a detailed report on the working agreement between Dublin City Council and Irish Water giving a clear line of individual institutional responsibilities.  Also giving an outline of how the system will work when the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with local authorities terminates later this year.

 

Furthermore that this council agrees to contact the Minister for Local Government outlining the inadequate generic customer and Politicians representation structure to deal with emergencies and out of hours service.  The establishment of Uisce Eireann only requires oversight by Finance and Climate Regulators.  The lack of oversight of service to the consumer and the fact that the service operates outside the democratic system shows up a serious gap in accountability.

 

It would also help if this issue was raised by the County Managers’ Association at their meeting with the Minister’s Department.

Order: Report to Councillor.

 

Motion 6 from Councillor Dermot Lacey

This Committee requests an update and timeline for the upgrade works and installation of Columbarium walls at the Donnybrook Cemetery.

Order: Agreed.

 

Motion 7 from Councillor Mary Freehill

That the Traffic Department helps in resolving the need for an all-day loading bay in Harold’s Cross village. Specifically to facilitate the cargo bikes delivering and collecting from Washboard.

Order: Agreed.

 

Motion 8 from Councillor Mary Freehill

Location of public seating is most valuable on routes that don’t have any public transport; I have come across many older people who find this walk too long without seating for a rest.

 

Therefore it is agreed that the local area committee finds appropriate seating spaces along the canal on Grove Road half way between Harold’s Cross Bridge and Portobello Bridge as well as on Canal Road between Portobello and Charlemont Bridges.

Order: Report to Councillor.

 

Motion 9 from Councillor Claire Byrne

That this Area Committee calls on the Area Manager to please install a signalised pedestrian crossing at the junction of  Sean Moore Road and Bayview / R802 to improve accessibility and pedestrian safety.

Order: Report to Councillor.

 

Motion 10 from Councillor Claire Byrne

That this area committee condemns Irish Water’s removal of trees on Strasbourg Terrace, Ringsend and calls on the Area Manager to outline whether Dublin City Council were aware of Irish Water’s intention to remove the trees, and what plans are in place to replace the trees and can he provide a timeline for tree replacement.

Order: Report to Councillor.

 

Motion 11 from Councillor Claire Byrne

That this area committee calls on the Area Manager to please expedite works to solve the ongoing drainage issues on Bath Street.

Report: Agreed.

 

Motion 12 from Councillor Mary Freehill

That DCC agrees to write to Minister for Local Government requesting the Government to revisit terms of reference and responsibilities of Uisce Eireann setting out their responsibilities to consumers.  Currently their only oversight is to the Finance and Climate Change Regulators. Therefore it is agreed to ask that an oversight body which would include input from elected members and officials of local authorities be established.  Also state clearer divisions of responsibilities with their service level agreement (SLA) bodies.

Order: Report to Councillor.

 

Motion 13 from Councillor James Geoghegan

That the South East Area Committee agrees to write to Irish Water;

 

·         Requesting that the asbestos pipe discovered on Tritonville Road during the ongoing Irish Water works is replaced as part of the current body of work taking place;

·         seeking commitments about a full resurfacing of the Tritonville Road following the completion of the works and that Irish Water; and

·         Insisting that Irish Water improve their direct communication and information flow with residents of Tritonville Road affected by the ongoing works.

Order: Report to Councillor.

 

Motion 14 from Councillor James Geoghegan

That the South East Area Committee agrees to write a supportive letter, further to the efforts of the Parks Department, to the City of Dublin Education & Training Board (CDETB) reflecting the unanimous view of all elected members in the South East Area that the sports grounds located in Terenure be put to greater use in partnership with Dublin City Council to meet the significant needs of local clubs throughout the area.

Order: Report to Councillor.

 

Motion 15 from Councillor Carolyn Moore

This committee agrees that Parks will meet with councillors and local residents to agree a timeline and programme of works for reseeding of grass and enhancement of biodiversity in Eaton Square Park before the summer months. Last summer I was given an update that Parks had ordered 1000 wildflower bulbs for the square for planting in the autumn, and also that the resowing of seed/relaying of turf following shockwave treatments would occur after the busy summer months had passed. Can Parks outline why these works did not take place and agree to a meeting to ensure these works are prioritised.

Order: Agreed.

 

Motion 16 from Councillor Hazel Chu

That the interim scheme of the Sandyford Clonskeagh to Charlemont Cycleway use an alternative material instead of the proposed wands for the route.  During the interim phase of cycle routes in Dun Laoghaire materials were used for the route to blend into the rest of the environment.  Plastic wands for interim routes are perceived as unsightly and sometimes generate negative sentiments for interim routes.  Usage of better materials will encourage communities to support the route and also provide more safety for cyclists. 

Order: Report to Councillor.

 

Motion 17 from Councillor Hazel Chu

Due to lack of parking for school teachers at Lios na nÓg, previously they had an arrangement with Health Services Executive (HSE) and then Beechwood Parish but unfortunately both have lapsed. Teachers who have to drive to school are being clamped and it is an extra cost and becoming unaffordable for them.  I move that this council allows for Lios na nÓg and schools in residential zones be allowed a set number of residential disc parking a year so as to aide their recruitment and retention of teachers who cannot afford to live in the local vicinity and have no other mode of transport but to drive.

Order: Report to Councillor.

 

Motion 18 from Councillor Claire O’Connor

What are we going to do about Sandymount? 

 

Sandymount village and especially Serpentine / Tritonville road and Sydney Parade Avenue have had to deal with excessive traffic in the last few months.  No traffic management plan is in place other than diverting traffic through these completely unsuitable roads.

 

The Dart line creates a particular boundary for Sandymount and in itself has led to extensive traffic queues at each crossing.  The impact of traffic standing still waiting to move is unsafe as it creates rat running, Serpentine Avenue being particularly badly effected due to the extended closures on this junction.  Drivers trying to beat the lights are regularly crashing here.

 

These roads are now being used by heavy vehicles, including 8 wheeler dump trucks and double decker buses because there is no control of access.  Tritonville Road is now dealing with the impact of this.  There has been at least 7 burst pipe events on the road since October with water flowing freely overnight.

 

Sandymount roads are unsafe to use for pedestrians, cyclists and residents.  Traffic jams from Strand Road to St. Vincent’s are now featuring on traffic reports in the morning.  St. Vincent’s is now becoming a rat run, as are other roads in the Ballsbridge area to allow access to Sandymount that eliminates Serpentine from journeys.

Order: Deferred to May South East Area Committee meeting.