YES VOTE WILL PROMOTE STABILITY - HUMPHREYS

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Friday, 18 May 2012

YES VOTE WILL PROMOTE STABILITY - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has said that a Yes vote in the upcoming Stability Treaty referendum on May 31st is vital if we want to stabilise our economy and increase investor confidence in Ireland.

“We all want Ireland to recover from the current economic crisis but the only way to ensure that this happens is by creating a stable Eurozone and continuing on the path of economic growth. By voting Yes to the Stability Treaty we are creating certainty and boosting investor confidence in Ireland. It is telling that investors in Ireland such as Paypal and other companies have been vocal in emphasising the need for a Yes vote.” Humphreys said.

“A No vote will only create uncertainty and will not allow us allow us access to funding in the future, should we need it. Such an outcome is a leap into the dark. It would be unwise gamble with Ireland’s future in such a way at a time when what we need is stability and confidence.  The economic arguments put forward by the No side have been shown up as fairytales” Humphreys said.

“While we realise that this Treaty is not the only solution to our economic woes, it is nonetheless an important step on our road to recovery. It will put in place good housekeeping rules that will stand to us in future.  It will also help protect the Euro as a currency – the Euro in which our citizen’s pay, pensions and savings are denominated.  Not a currency to gamble with.”

“The Irish people are faced with an important decision on May 31st and I am advocating that they vote Yes as I believe it is the best path to bring about certainty and promote Ireland’s economic recovery.”

Ends 

OPEN SYSTEM NEEDED FOR COUNCIL’S USE OF EXTERNAL LAWYERS - HUMPHREYS

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Friday, 18 May 2012

OPEN SYSTEM NEEDED FOR COUNCIL’S USE OF EXTERNAL LAWYERS - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has called on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to adopt a more transparent policy in relation to the briefing of counsel to act on its behalf or the retention of any external legal services.

“I submitted questions over a number of Council meetings in recent months to establish what procedure the Council has adopted to advertise for the selection of barristers to act on its behalf.  In the reply that was eventually furnished to me it is clear that there has not been any formal advertising process.”

“I am calling on the Council to introduce a formal advertising process to enable a wider range of counsel to act on its behalf in the many legal issues that arise in connection with its work, as well as the considerable volume of litigation that the Council is required to engage in.  As a public body the Council has a responsibility to be open and clear in its procedures for external contracting and tendering.”  Humphreys said.

“It is also clear that there is a certain amount of imbalance even within the panel that the Council has at the moment.  The top two barristers were briefed in 86 matters between them since 2007, which is more than most of the rest of the panel put together.  A more transparent system would enable a more balanced system of briefing to be put in place.” Humphreys said.

“Greater competition might also assist in keeping the cost of legal services.  I appreciate that the volume of work that the Council engages in means that no matter what system is in place, there will be significant cost incurred for legal services, but steps should be taken to ensure that the cost is kept down and that expenditure is incurred in an open and balanced manner.” Humphreys said.

Ends

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Note for Editors – text of question and reply attached

MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

10TH APRIL 2012

ADVERTISING AND SELECTION PROCEDURES FOR THE FORMATION OF THE

PANEL OF COUNSEL USED BY THE COUNCIL

Question: Councillor R. Humphreys

“To ask the Manager further to the questions at the February 2012 and March 2012

Council meetings if he is now in a position to furnish a list of the advertising and

selection procedures for the formation of the panel of counsel used by the Council,

the names of the persons on the panel of junior and senior counsel briefed by the

Council, with an indication in relation to each counsel of the number of matters in

respect of which the counsel concerned was briefed during each of the past 5 years,

or if not whether he will now explain the lengthy delay in furnishing this

information?”

Reply:

Counsel are selected on the basis of the following criteria: -

• The need to avoid potential, actual or perceived conflicts of interest

• The degree of complexity of the issues involved

• The fee proposal

• The statutory and regulatory requirements required to be complied

with

• The degree of specialist knowledge that Counsel brings to the

particular facts and circumstances arising and which require legal

advice and/or directions and/or representation in Court

• The availability of Counsel, including having regard to the nature and

urgency of the case and related concerns of the Council itself

The following are the names of the Junior and Senior Counsel who have been

briefed in the period 2007 to 2011. In this reply, the number of matters

corresponds to the invoices generated for payment to Counsel within that

time period. A breakdown as to the amount of such matters per Counsel per

annum would necessitate a file-by-file review, which has not been undertaken

for the purposes of this reply.

Conleth Bradley SC 8

Rory Brady SC 1

Patrick Butler SC 4

Mema Byrne BL 9

Mairead Coghlan BL 3

Maurice Collins SC 1

Michael Collins SC 1

James Connolly SC 8

Patricia Coonagh BL 1

David Dodd BL 3

Stephen Dodd BL 11

John Doherty BL 3

Martin Dully BL 20

Emily Egan BL 1

Mary Feeney BL 10

Cian Ferriter BL 1

John Fitzgerald SC 1

Dermot Flanagan SC 15

John Gallagher SC 5

Colm Hennessy BL 18

Michael Hourican BL 35

Patrick Hunt SC 1

Damian Keaney BL 3

Tom Mallon BL 4

Eoin McGonigal SC 4

Michael O’Donoghue BL 4

Carol O’Farrell BL 51

Ronan Prendergast BL 4

Gavin Ralston SC 3

Aidan Redmond SC 3

Neil Steen BL 1

Pauline Walley SC 3

Contact: Edward C. Hughes, County Law Agent

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES LITTER MANAGEMENT PLAN

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Tuesday, 15 May 2012

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES LITTER MANAGEMENT PLAN

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the passing of the Litter Management Plan by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council at its meeting on 14 May, and the passing of a number of amendments which he submitted.

“Litter and other forms of environmental pollution are a constant nuisance for communities and families, and I welcome the passing of the Litter Management Plan as a framework for the Council’s efforts to combat litter.” Humphreys said.  “I was particularly glad that three amendments which I submitted were accepted and incorporated into the Plan” Humphreys said.

“My amendments called for the re-introduction of a name and shame scheme for litter offenders, and the Council agreed to write to the Minister seeking the introduction of legislation to permit this.  Such a scheme would be a deterrent to offenders, and I regret the fact that the data protection commissioner has taken the view that it cannot be done without legislation.” Humphreys said.

“I also proposed an amendment, which was passed, committing the Council to full implementation of the sandwich board licensing scheme during 2012.  Sandwich boards need regulation by the Council, as prior to the scheme there was no specific mechanism to apply for a licence for sandwich boards.  This amendment will help businesses while preventing the use of such boards in inappropriate locations.” Humphreys said.

“I also welcome the adoption by the Council of my amendment that the Council will support residents associations in erecting anti dog fouling signs in their areas.”  Humphreys said.  “Dog fouling is an ongoing menace and any assistance the Council can give to communities in combating it is to be welcomed”.

Ends

Webcast of May 2012 Council meeting

The webcast of the May 2012 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -
http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/78348

To view my input follow these instructions: Along the blue strip on top of the picture you will see three tabs, which stand for Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on the second one (index points - marked by a picture of what look like a few bullets), then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

0.10.44 on the need to publish conference reports
0.25.02 and subsequently - series of amendments to the Litter Management Plan
1.41.14 speaking on motion on Mahon Tribunal
2.15.56 on motion re Providence Resources foreshore licence
2.27.23 and 2.42.09 on increasing the representation of councillors on the Audit Committee
2.55.44 on the need for more bus shelters

Reception hosted by Ambassador Modai

With my former boss, Minister for Equality and Law Reform Mervyn Taylor - 15 years on from when we left the Department together in 1997 - at tonight's reception hosted by Ambassador Modai to mark the 64th anniversary of Israel's foundation by the UN in 1948.

Deadline for supplement to the Register is 14 May

Deadline for supplement to the Register is 14 May

If you are not on the register (and you can check it on http://www.checktheregister.ie/PublicPages/Default.aspx?uiLang=) then you have until 14 May to submit a supplement form.

The forms can be downloaded from http://www.dlrcoco.ie/aboutus/councildepartments/corporateservicesit/registerofelectors/ = RFA2 for a new voter and RFA3 for an existing voter changing address.

You need to have this signed in a Garda station and send to your council.

In our area the franchise section is at DLRCC Council, Dundrum Office Park, Off Main St, Dundrum Dublin 14.

The Minister's announcement is at

http://www.merrionstreet.ie/index.php/2012/04/minister-hogan-advises-on-the-register-of-electors/

Pages on YouTube and Audioboo

I've put up links to some old and new videos at http://www.youtube.com/rfhumphreys and to some audio at http://audioboo.fm/RFHumphreys

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORT FUNDING FOR STILLORGAN WARD AREA

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Wednesday, 18^th April 2012

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORT FUNDING FOR STILLORGAN WARD AREA

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the very significant funding for major transport improvements in the Stillorgan Ward area allocated by the National Transport Authority under sustainable transport programme measures 2012.

“I am delighted that the Government has facilitated additional funding of EUR 790,000 to be spent within the Stillorgan Ward and adjoining areas.” Humphreys said.

“The decision to allocate EUR 600,000 to junction improvements and resignalling at Upper Kilmacud Rd and the junction with Blackthorn Avenue together with enhanced access to Sandyford Luas stop for walkers and cyclists and construction of new cycle facilities in the Sandyford Business District is very welcome.” Humphreys said.  “I was glad to have supported the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan and to have proposed amendments to improve life for pedestrians and cyclists.  It is very welcome that Labour in Government is delivering the funds to help make the plan a reality.” Humphreys said.

“I also welcome the decision to approve EUR 60,000 for works in the vicinity of the Leopardstown Roundabout including the planning and design of the new road from the ESB roundabout on Leopardstown Rd to the Sandyford Business District.  This will improve bus and vehicular access to the LUAS.” Humphreys said.

“It is also very welcome that EUR 50,000 will be spent on the construction of a bus-only gate on Belfield campus inner ring road to improve the permeability of UCD for cross-campus bus routes.  In addition, EUR 50,000 has been approved for planning and design of a cycling and walking link from Belfield campus to the DART, as well as EUR 30,000 for planning and design of a cycling and walking link from UCD to the LUAS at Windy Arbour.” Humphreys said.  “I recently called for an extension of the DublinBikes scheme to UCD and this development makes such an extension all the more relevant”.

Ends

Photo caption: Cllr Richard Humphreys at UCD which will benefit from EUR 130,000 of the new funding.

Party Conference pic

Photo shows me speaking at party Conference in Galway, April 13-15 2012.

Webcast of Adjourned April 2012 Council meeting

The webcast of the Adjourned April 2012 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -
http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/77401

To view my input follow these instructions: Along the blue strip on top of the picture you will see three tabs, which stand for Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on the second one (index points - marked by a picture of what look like a few bullets), then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

0.19.43 on the controversy surrounding the distribution of polling cards in 2011.
0.28.10 on my motion regarding tackling advertising vehicles in breach of s 71 of the Roads Act, which was passed.
1.02.21 on public art in the County
1.33.12 on my motion on introducing a licensing scheme for sandwich boards, which was passed.
1.43.00 on beach bye-laws

Party Conference - election results

Announcement of election results at Party Conference, as Returning Officer: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21862477

Party Conference - motion to amend Party Constitution

My speech to the Party Conference proposing a streamlining amendment to the Party Constitution: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21863660

Party conference - motion on surrogacy

My speech to the Party Conference on the issue of surrogacy/ family law implications of assisted reproduction: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21861751

April 2012 Council Meeting - webcast

The webcast of the April 2012 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -
http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/77401

To view my input follow these instructions: Along the blue strip on top of the picture you will see three tabs, which stand for Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on the second one (index points - marked by a picture of what look like a few bullets), then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

1.20.24 on amending the Goatstown Local Area Plan to cut back the building line at the Goatstown crossroads
2.55.08 on a motion on Government housing policy

This weekend's cultural update ... "Midnight in Paris"

A brief culture update for my more regular blog readers …  

My DVD viewing this weekend was “Midnight in Paris”, Woody Allen’s so-called “return to form” from 2011 and his highest-grossing film ever.  Carla Bruni makes a dazzling appearance as a tour guide, with Owen Wilson playing the Woody Allen character – and playing it with a delicacy and style that I have not particularly associated with Wilson to date.

Gil, Wilson’s character, is trapped in a screenwriting career which he resents, although successful at it, and is engaged to Inez, a presentable woman who we quickly learn is everything Gil is not – materialistic, controlling and unkind.  As is sometimes the case with Allen’s films, her parents are made to be Tea Party Republicans, to add to the general sense of odium. 

Inez’s affair which rounds off the collapse of the relationship is a footnote to the contradictions of the situation, as affairs sometimes are – a consequence rather than a cause of the gulf between the two.

We see Wilson/Allen struggle with two of the major themes of previous Allen films, his terror of death and the pain of being trapped in a mismatched or fantasy relationship.  Wilson’s character may resolve the second problem – temporarily anyway – but whether he resolves the first, through creativity, love, trueness to his own personal vision and gifts, is a matter best left to the viewer.

The theme of the person in a mismatched situation is one that Allen has been hammering away at for some time, nowhere more dramatically (for me) than in “Mighty Aphrodite”.

Mighty Aphrodite is a film that has one scene of absolutely epic power that has haunted me since I saw it in 1995.  Woody Allen’s character Lenny Weinrib and his wife Amanda played by Helena Bonham-Carter are sitting silently in the back of a taxi, late on a Saturday night, their relationship having been thoroughly poisoned by her rampant and unhinged careerism and her emotional illiteracy.  The taxi stops at a light on Park Avenue.  Weinrib looks out and sees a younger couple, walking home arm in arm through New York’s streets – him with a New York Times on Sunday under his arm, a little bookish, with a jacket and glasses, perhaps talking about something bookish; her in Saturday night dress; both clearly in love.  

In three sentences of screenplay Allen (aged 60 when this film was made) delivers a shattering blow to the bourgeois world-view:  “I looked out the window and I see some guy and this pretty girl.  They're walking home, and, you know, and the guy's carrying the Sunday papers.  They looked like they were having so much fun, you know?”  The contrast with his own situation could have been an electrifying and awakening moment for Weinrib but of course it is not.  Inevitably it is Amanda who leaves him rather than vice versa.  But maybe it can be an awakening moment for the rest of us.  This scene of immense emotional power, which lasts less than a minute, has massive lessons for us all – what are we settling for, what ideal situations do we glimpse only fleetingly through taxi windows, as it were, what simple pleasures of fun and of authentic relationships have been forgotten or half-forgotten, what nightmare or state of unconsciousness are we sleepwalking through, awaiting our own awakening moment.  Weinrib has created his own hell, and he knows it, but seems powerless to act – yet only he can address the question of the meaning of his existence.  Seventeen years later this scene, for me, has only grown in its impact and its starkly existential message.

COUNCIL NEEDS TO CONSULT PUBLIC MORE EFFECTIVELY - HUMPHREYS

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Sunday, 18 March 2012

COUNCIL NEEDS TO CONSULT PUBLIC MORE EFFECTIVELY - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has called for greater public information on the large number of initiatives that are undergoing public consultation.

“I received information in reply to a question at the March Council meeting that at present, 19 separate projects are at various stages of public consultation including projects that will go to consultation later this year.”

“In order to help our citizens keep track of current consultations I am calling on the Council to put up a single easily accessible webpage which links to all of the various current consultations.”  Humphreys said.

“It would also be helpful if preliminary information about planned projects could be made publicly available even before the formal consultation process.”

“In my own ward in Stillorgan there will be public consultation during 2012 on the Leopardstown roundabout and link road works, and the Cabinteely Park Climbing Adventure to be constructed by the Council, but there is no even preliminary information on these projects listed on the Council website.” Humphreys said.

At the county-wide level there is currently a consultation on the River Dodder Flooding Plan (CFRAM) although this is not indexed on the Council’s website.  The consultation remains open until 6^th June 2012 and further details are at www.cfram.ie.  I would encourage interested parties to submit their views.

It is also proposed to have a consultation on the Cycle Network Review, but no real information about this is contained on the Council’s website.  I am calling on the Council to review its consultation practices more generally and give as much information to the public as possible, as far in advance as possible.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Note to editors – text of question and reply attached

MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

12TH MARCH 2012

POLICIES OR PLANS/PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Question: Councillor R. Humphreys

“To ask the Manager for a list of all policies, plans or other actions of the Council that

have gone out to public consultation but have not yet come before the elected

members, a list of the items currently undergoing public consultation, and a list of

the items likely to be the subject of public consultation during 2012?”

Reply:

Planning

List of policies and plans that have gone out on public consultation:

1. Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone Draft Planning Scheme.

Public display from 29th February, 2012, closing date for submissions 11th

April, 2012.

2. Material Alteration Variation No. 6.1 - Sandycove A.C.A.

List of items likely to go on public consultation during 2012:-

1. Variation No. 7 – Monkstown A.C.A.

2. Variation No. 8 – DART Car-park & Open Space Development.

3. Variation No. 9 – Ticknock Road Specific Local Objective Number 97.

4. Adelaide Street A.C.A.

5. Vico Road A.C.A.

Environment, Culture & Community

List of items likely to go on public consultation during 2012:-

- Part 8 Deck over Metals at People’s Park

- Part 8 Climbing Adventure, Cabinteely Park

List of items recently gone out to public consultation:-

- Beach Bye Laws

- Litter Management Plan

Transportation

Item likely to go on public consultation during 2012:-

- Dun Laoghaire Laneways

- Shankill Dart Car Park

- Leopardstown Roundabout and Link Road

- Braemore Cycle Tracks

- The Cycle Network Review

Housing

Item likely to go on public consultation during 2012:-

- The refurbishment / energy upgrade scheme at the Rochestown House senior

citizen complex under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as

amended).`

Water & Waste Services

The normal procedure is that plans are presented to the Area Committees in advance

of the Public Consultation Stage.

The Public Consultation for the River Dodder Flood Catchment Flood Risk Assessment

and Management (CFRAM) Plan was officially launched by Minister Brian Hayes last

week. The Plan was presented to the Dundrum Area Committee on 5th December

2011. The documentation will be on display until 6th June 2012.

The Eastern CFRAM Study is ongoing and will involve various consultation phases,

the first of which is planned for 2013.

Architects

Item likely to go on public consultation during 2012:-

- Interim works Dún Laoghaire Baths site

Contact: Kathleen Holohan, Director of Planning.

Contact: Richard Shakespeare, Director of Environment, Culture & Community.

Contact: Tom Mc Hugh, Director of Services, Transportation Department.

Contact: Charles MacNamara, Director of Housing.

Contact: Frank Austin, Director of Water & Waste Services

Contact: Andree Dargan, County Architect.

March 2012 Council meeting - webcast

The webcast of the March 2012 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -
http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/71070

To view my input follow these instructions: Along the blue strip on top of the picture you will see three tabs, which stand for Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on the second one (index points - marked by a picture of what look like a few bullets), then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

0.22.33 on dealing with the backlog of Councillors' motions
0.29.53 on the need for housing associations to engage with representatives of constituents
1.38.38 on setting up a working group to name the Moran Park Central Library
2.17.25 on a procedural issue

ANTI-HOUSEHOLD CHARGE POSTERS DON’T BELONG ON COUNCIL POLES - HUMPHREYS

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Sunday, 26 February 2012

ANTI-HOUSEHOLD CHARGE POSTERS DON’T BELONG ON COUNCIL POLES - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has criticised the poster campaign by the “Campaign against the Household and Water Taxes”.

“Posters advocating non-payment of the household charge have begun to appear on poles around the County, urging people not to register or pay.  There is something ironic if not ridiculous about the fact that the Anti-Charge campaign is using poles paid for by Council money and maintained by the Council in order to advocate non-payment of lawful charges to fund essential local government services.” Humphreys said.

“The Anti-Charge lobby advocates a “free rider” philosophy – they wish to take the benefits of democracy but not to contribute to paying for it.  This is an insult to the intelligence of the public.  I am calling on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to withdraw its consent to the placing of posters on its poles which advocate the non-payment of lawful charges.  I fully respect the entitlement of protesters to free speech, but this does not extend to advocating the commission of criminal offences.  The unfortunate reality is that anyone liable to the charge must declare his or her liability and pay the charge due or otherwise they are committing an offence.”

“I regret the necessity for a household charge but due to the disastrous economic situation which the Government inherited from Fianna Fail and the Greens, it has become required as a condition of EU and IMF funding, without which we as a country will not be able to pay our nurses, teachers and Gardai and fund other essential services.  The essential thing is that it be fairly borne by the community.  A mass boycott campaign is sheer economic fantasy and is an insult to the law abiding members of society” Humphreys said.

“It is also somewhat striking that the “Campaign against the Household and Water Taxes” is a somewhat shadowy organisation which does not list its members or committee conspicuously on its website.  Nor does it publish on its website any rules or constitution which would show that its committee is accountable to its members.  Its press releases are featured on a Socialist Party website and it gives every impression of being another vehicle for the cynical politics of the Ultra-Left Alliance.”

Ends

Download full councillors' expenses for 2011

The full list of all councillors' expenses for 2011 is available on my website - http://richardhumphreys.ie/ and click on "Download 2011 expenses".  An excel document with all expenses should download for you.

Amounts paid to each Councillor in 2011

I submitted a question to last Monday's council meeting to establish the total amounts paid to each Councillor in 2011.  This includes conference fees which are not paid directly to the Councillor but to conference organiser on their behalf.  The totals, arranged in order of amount, are as follows.  Note that the 6 lowest councillors did not serve a full 12 months during 2011.  

I received the second lowest amount of the Councillors in the Stillorgan Ward and weighed in at a respectable mid-table position overall.

3505 Richard Boyd-Barrett

3671 Mary Mitchell-O’Connor

7196 Grace Tallon

14907 Melissa Halpin

16472 Aidan Culhane

19332 Patricia Stewart

22155 Hugh Lewis

22167 Aoife Brennan

22256 Stephen Fitzpatrick

23057 Tom Murphy

23473 Jim O’Dea

24114 Carrie Smyth

24681 Barry Ward

24772 Gearoid O’Keefe

25565 Donal Marren

25731 Cormac Devlin

26022 Marie Baker

26199 Richard Humphreys

26641 Neale Richmond

26871 Niamh Bhreathnach

27346 Barry Saul

27958 Victor Boyhan

28198 Tony Fox

28868 Tom Joyce

30085 Pat Hand

30554 Jane Dillon-Byrne

30688 Denis O’Callaghan

34236 Gerry Horkan

38108 Maria Bailey

41789 Lettie McCarthy

47058  John Bailey

Launch of Irish Labour History Society Photo Exhibition

Last night I attended the launch by Tánaiste and Party Leader Eamon Gilmore of the Irish Labour History Society photographic exhibition at Beggar's Bush, Haddington Rd, to commemorate the centenary of the founding of the Labour Party in 1912.  Pic shows me with the legend of recent Labour history, former Tánaiste and Party Leader Dick Spring.  It was an immense privilege for me to have worked as part of Dick's team as a special adviser to Labour during the 1990s.  Photo credit: the ever-professional Shauneen Armstrong.

February 2012 Council Meeting

The webcast of the Feb 2012 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -
http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/71069

To view my input follow these instructions: Along the blue strip on top of the picture you will see three tabs, which stand for Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on the second one (index points - marked by a picture of what look like a few bullets), then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

0.09.08 on Councillors expenses and the EUR61,000 expenses incurred by PBP TDs
0.14.58 on my amendments to the public art policy
1.42.39 on the motion concerning a public inquiry in respect of oil drilling
1.54.09 paying tribute to Richard Cremins and Les Moore on leaving the Council
2.10.00 on legal advice regarding Councillors' interests in the Cherrywood SDZ
2.24.50 on reform of the water sector

Monday 20th Feb - All welcome to Public Meeting with local Garda Siochana and Joint Policing Committee

From http://www.dlrcoco.ie/newsevents/latestnews/title,7626,en.html

"Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Joint Policing Committee - Notice of Public Meeting

A public meeting for the residents of Ballinteer, Blackrock, Churchtown, Dundrum, Glencullen, Goatstown, Mount Merrion, Sandyford, Stepaside, and Stillorgan will be held in:

Taney Parish Hall, Taney Road, Dundrum

On Monday, 20^th February, 2012

From 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Joint Policing Committee is chaired by Councillor Dr Richard Humphreys and consists of local elected representatives of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, An Garda Síochána, Oireachtas members and community representatives.

This is a meeting that local residents from the above areas are welcome to attend.  At the meeting you will have an opportunity to make observations and address questions on matters relating to crime and anti-social behaviour with a view to improving public safety within local communities.

RAISE ISSUES, GET FEEDBACK, ALL WELCOME.

For further information contact:

Neil Healy on (01) 2047299

E Mail: nhealy@dlrcoco.ie "

Arts Grants 2012

Artists or arts groups working or living in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County may be interested in the arts grants scheme - closing date 28 February.  Details at http://www.dlrcoco.ie/arts/grants_scheme_2012.htm

FIGURES FOR COUNCILLORS' ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

There is more to the job of a councillor than attendance at meetings but nonetheless the figures are interesting.  I attach figures showing attendance at meetings up in 2011 up to the start of December.  At that stage I had attended a respectable 88% of meetings which put me in 2nd place in the Stillorgan Ward, and in the top half of councillors overall in terms of percentage attended.   I was in joint 6th place in the Council overall in terms of actual number of meetings attended.

ORGANISATION PROCEDURE & PROTOCOL COMMITTEE

7TH DECEMBER 2011

COUNCILLORS ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS IN 2011 TO DATE

Question: Councillor M. Baker

“To ask the Manager to report on Councillors attendance at all official meetings of

DLRCC for the calendar year 2011 to date, highlighting in each Councillors case

the total number of meeting that should have been attended and the actual

number of meetings attended and the percentage attendance rate in each case?”

Reply:

Councillor        Total No of

Meetings that

Councillor Could

have Attended

No of Meetings

Attended by

Councillor

% Rate of

Attendance

John Bailey    41                          37                                90%

Maria Bailey   35                          29                                83%

Marie Baker   43                          41                                95%

Niamh Bhreathnach 43                 36                                84%

Victor Boyhan 42                         36                                86%

Aoife Brennan 41                         23                                56%

Cormac Devlin 37                         29                                78%

Jane Dillon Byrne 37                      34                                92%

Stephen Fitzpatrick 35                 34                                97%

Tony Fox 39                                 37                                95%

Melisa Halpin 19                          14                                74%

Pat Hand 43                                36                                84%

Gerry Horkan 40                          40                                100%

Richard Humphreys 42                 37                                88%

Tom Joyce 45                              34                                76%

Hugh Lewis 41                             28                                68%

Donal Marren 39                          34                                87%

Lettie McCarthy 45                       43                                96%

Tom Murphy 39                            30                                77%

Denis O’Callaghan 39                   39                                100%

Jim O’Dea 42                               34                                81%

Gearóid O’Keeffe 40                     7                                  18%

Neale Richmond 38                      23                                61%

Barry Saul 42                              30                                71%

Carrie Smyth 41                          39                                95%

Patricia Stewart 29                       29                                100%

Grace Tallon 10                            10                                100%

Barry Ward 43                             30                                70%

Contact: Tony Pluck, Director of Corporate Services & I.T.