Lucinda has made a submission to An Bord Pleanála with her concerns over the plans for the DART Underground system, and their impact on the residents of Dublin South East:

9 August 2010

Re: Application for a railway order by Coras Iompair Eireann for an underground electrified heavy railway from Inchicore to East Wall, Dublin (Dart Underground)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to make some observations on the proposal to construct an underground Dart line from Inchicore to East Wall. I enclose a cheque for €50.

Overall, I am in favour of increased public transport in the city centre, and especially projects which join the current infrastructure. While I have issues with the cost of this project, I am broadly in favour of it. By investing in the city we can provide for its long term development.

Such a major infrastructure project will however have serious effects on the city and its inhabitants, and all efforts must be made to prevent the works from degrading the quality of life of residents. (more…)

I am regularly contacted by constituents affected by unemployment who need information on education and training opportunities, social welfare entitlements, and other information related to coping with the recession. To address these matters I have arranged a public information seminar on unemployment issues. I held one recently in the Dublin 4 area that was very well attended, so I am now organising a second one.

Lucinda

Venue: Garda Club, 8-10 Harrington St, Portobello, Dublin 8

When: 21st June 2010, 7:00PM

Participants:

I am regularly contacted by constituents affected by unemployment who need information on education and training opportunities, social welfare entitlements, and other information related to coping with the recession. To address these matters I have arranged a public information seminar on unemployment issues.

Lucinda

Participants:

Today in the Dáil Lucinda challenged Brian Cowen to face up to the effect that upward-only rent reviews are having on businesses around the country. Although the recent Land and Conveyancing Act introduces a proviso for fair rent in new leases, this has no effect on commercial leases signed before that legislation was enacted.

Lucinda therefore raised the matter with the Taoiseach and got an agreement from him to look at the issue again:

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: The recently enacted Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 provided for a change to the upward-only rent reviews that were in place until that time. The Taoiseach is well aware that the legislation is not retrospective due to legal advice which I believe came from the Attorney General.

A letter in today’s The Irish Times by Professor David Gwynn Morgan, who is one of the foremost constitutional lawyers in the country, questions that legal advice. He says it is not unconstitutional to retrospectively address the issue of upward-only rent reviews.

The Taoiseach will be aware that the Grafton Street Tenants’ Association met yesterday morning and it is pleading with the Government to address this issue. The new legislation does nothing for people who find themselves in difficulty right now.

There has been no opportunity to address this issue as it was left out of the recent legislation. This is a very important issue for traders who are struggling to stay in existence and to keep people in employment. I would like to see some action from the Government on the matter.

The Taoiseach: The question of rents and arbitration is being examined. The Government takes its advice on all matters from the Attorney General but I will consider the correspondence.

Latest Report from Dublin City Council – Friday 26th February

The water supply situation has been stabilised to the point where we are now in a position to lift all restrictions on supply with effect from this evening (Feb 26th).

The lifting of restrictions will result in a rise in demand. The level of increase will dictate whether it will be necessary to re-introduce restrictions in the coming days.

Essential maintenance work at the water treatment plants has commenced and will be ongoing for the next number of months. This should not impact on our ability to supply unless the level of demand rises further for whatever reason or problems arise at the plants. (more…)