My priorities are clear and focused on enhancing our community’s quality of life.
Local Issues : As a member of the Glasnevin Village Residents Association committee, I see first-hand the issues affecting our local community. I am currently working on a proposal to improve St Mobhi Boithrín. I am committed to having long standing requests and issues resolved by DCC e.g. residents parking/pay and display, basic services such as litter collection, road cleaning and regular drain clearance. I will also work towards improving community funding for local initiatives.
Supporting Our Active Retirement Community : I am committed to advocating for the development of a wider variety of events for our active retirement community in Glasnevin and the surrounding areas. By promoting initiatives that create engaging and inclusive activities, we can ensure that our active retirement residents have access to enriching experiences that foster social connections and enhance their well-being. These events are essential for maintaining a vibrant and supportive community, and I will work diligently to ensure that our retired residents have the opportunities they deserve.
Safer City : I love Baile Átha Cliath, an lár, the city centre, Dublin town; I am committed to advocating for a safe city centre where everyone can enjoy our vibrant city life. I will endeavour to work with local Gardaí to ensure that community policing levels are expanded along with crime prevention and deterrent measures. More Gardaí on patrols are needed in our communities to keep Dubliners safe.
Safe Spaces for Women: I am a strong advocate for creating safe and supportive environments for women and girls. This includes ensuring that women have access to spaces dedicated to their safety and well-being. Additionally, I believe in protecting the integrity of women’s sports by maintaining categories that allow women and girls to compete fairly and safely. My commitment is to uphold these principles and ensure that women’s rights and safety are prioritised.
Housing Emergency: The recently leaked sections of the Housing Commission’s report highlight a severe housing deficit of up to 256,000 homes in Ireland, describing it as a “brutal and humiliating condemnation of an ad hoc national housing policy.” This scathing critique of government policy underscores the urgent need for emergency action to address what the report calls ineffective decision-making and risk-averse policies. This deficit has led to a housing emergency that is driving young people to emigrate and trapping renters in cycles of unaffordable costs and evictions. To tackle this crisis, I will fight for emergency action to address the housing deficit. I will work towards increasing the supply of affordable homes, streamline planning processes, and support sustainable development. By collaborating with local authority stakeholders, developers, and community groups, we can create inclusive housing solutions for all Dubliners, ensuring everyone has a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home. Ultimately it is imperative that we work towards housing policies that provide affordable housing to encourage the return of our young people and essential workers. They should be able to afford to live in the city they grew up in. Additionally, we need to enable the young people of Dublin to move out of their parents’ houses and start living their lives.
Immigration: As a concerned resident and candidate for Dublin City Council, I believe it is essential to address the challenges posed by our current immigration policies. While Ireland has a proud tradition of welcoming people from around the world, we must ensure that our immigration system remains sustainable and fair.
Our priority should be to support our vulnerable Dubliners and genuine asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution and in need of protection. We, the people, should carefully consider the implications of the EU Migration Pact, as it will place further strain on our already stretched resources.
I will advocate for balanced immigration policies and ensure that local communities are consulted on these important issues. I believe that Irish people should have a significant role in deciding our immigration policy. By implementing sustainable and well-designed immigration policies, we can create a balanced and supportive environment for everyone. This approach will help alleviate the strain on local resources and ensure that we maintain a compassionate and orderly immigration system.
Revitalising Dublin’s Georgian Buildings for Residential Use : Dublin faces a severe housing deficit, with a need for up to 256,000 homes. To address this crisis and preserve our architectural heritage, I propose converting vacant Georgian buildings into residential spaces.
This initiative will not only alleviate the housing shortage but also maintain the unique character of our city. To make this viable, we should consider the right type of incentives to both landlords and tenants to enable them to vacate and renovate for residential usage. Existing office leases can be moved to vacant office spaces, ensuring commercial needs are met.
With your support, I will champion these changes on Dublin City Council, creating a sustainable housing solution that honours our past and looks forward to a brighter future.
Arts and Culture: As a strong supporter of arts and culture, I am deeply committed to preserving and promoting our rich cultural heritage. I believe that our arts and cultural institutions are the heartbeat of our community, offering a unique identity and fostering a sense of pride.
Protecting our historical sites, supporting local artists, and ensuring that cultural events and festivals continue to thrive are essential to maintaining the vibrant and diverse spirit of Cabra-Glasnevin. By investing in and celebrating our cultural assets, we not only honour our past but also inspire future generations to appreciate and contribute to our shared heritage.
As a passionate supporter of the arts and a frequent visitor to Smock Alley Theatre, I am thrilled that Dublin City Council will take over its management. This move secures the theatre’s future, protects jobs, supports performers, and enhances accessibility for community groups. It is a vital step in preserving our cultural heritage and fostering the arts in Dublin.
Preservation of Dublin City: I am committed to preserving Dublin’s historical landscape and buildings while managing development to maintain our city’s unique charm. By balancing growth with conservation, we can avoid becoming overrun with generic chains and keep our beautiful Dublin distinct and vibrant.
Sport : As a proud supporter of the Save Tolka Park campaign I am committed to supporting much needed refurbishment initiative’s at Tolka Park, Dalymount and Richmond Park. The recent attendance at the League of Ireland games has been phenomenal. The atmosphere is fantastic, more investment is needed to support the league of Ireland and sport overall.
I will work towards funding initiatives that promote the involvement of everyone, particularly girls, in sports to foster a healthy and active lifestyle.