Douglas Pay Parking /Residents Permits

Pay Parking is scheduled to be introduced to Douglas Village on 1^st May 2012. This will involve the implementation of a “Pay and Display” type parking system on the streets of Douglas Village, in the Lion House Car Park and in the new car park being developed at the rear of St Patrick’s Woollen Mills. The tariff for parking on street will be 80 cent per hour and tickets will be available from on street parking machines. The tariff for the public car parks will be €3 per day inclusive of VAT, again available from parking machines in the car parks. Time restrictions will also apply with 1 hour and 3 hour zones applying to each of the following streets:

• East Douglas Street
• Carrigaline Road
• Church Street
• Churchyard Lane
• West Douglas Street
• Church Road
• West Douglas Street
• Galways Lane
• Grosvenor Mews and
• Elm Grove

The time restrictions and hours of operation of the pay parking system will be shown on information plates on each of the streets in question. Residents living within the Pay & Display Parking Areas may be considered for a Residents Parking Permit.

Application forms and information about the Pay and Display Parking Areas are available on our website www.corkcoco.ie

or by contacting Divisional Services on 021 4285116 or 021 4285279

Fingers crossed for 5 year Sustainable Transport plan funding for Douglas, Rochestown, Carrigaline & Passage West

Minister Leo Veradkar is in Cork on Monday next and will meet with FG Councillors.  Council was asked by the Department to put together a 5 yr plan for Sustainable Transport Investment Programme 2012 to 2016.  Following representations by Cllrs and Tds a short list was drawn up and hopefully hopefully hopefully the Minister will be able to give us some money for these vital projects, not sure when announcement will be made but not too long I think.
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New Public Services Cards (PSCs)

I can sympathise with anyone who finds themselves in the position of needing social welfare support.  Many people have said to me that they intensely dislike having to receive same and feel terrible to have to do so.  However, I always tell them that they deserve support, who knows when any of us will find ourselves or loved ones in the same position.  The purpose of this new services card is to ensure that every penny goes to those who genuinely need it and deserve it. Continue reading »

Alcatraz masterplan for Spike Island to be unveiled.

The green shoots of hope are beginning to push through all the doom and gloom I think with a few small positives happening.  Locally, Council has plans for a new scheme to attract tourists which will hopefully create jobs in the near future.  A  masterplan to redevelop SpikeIsland into an attraction comparable to Alcatrazwill be unveiled this week.In July 2010, SpikeIsland, located off the Corkcoast, was handed over to Cork County Council on behalf of the Department of Justice by then minister for social protection Éamon O Cuiv. Continue reading »

Staffing Allocations at post-primary level

I understand that the Department of Education & Skills will shortly publish a circular outlining the staffing allocations for all post-primary schools and since I received quite a few representations in relation to such matters I set out some information which has come to hand.

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Children’s Referendum to be held this year.

The Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, confirmed yesterday (Thursday) that the Children’s Referendum will be held this year. The Minister said the Referendum will be a stand-alone one and will be dealt with in isolation. It will not be considered in tandem with other constitutional issues ensuring the issue is afforded the attention it deserves.

Political Funding

There has been some comment in relation to this matter and again more recently in the media.  I asked for clarification in relation to the Party’s situation.  (I as a Public Representative have and am more than willing to comply with the leglislation in relation to my own position and as you know we (all councillors) have to complete an Ethics declaration and Declaration of donations (if any) each year.)   Fine Gael meets and continues to meet all its legal obligations and is happy to do so.
The Party fully backs Minister Hogan’s proposals for reform in this area. (This is the critical part)
Fine Gael did not receive political donations above the limit set down for declaration.
In a typical year, corporate donations make up less than five per-cent of self-generated funding. This may increase in an election year.The Party’s primary sources of self-generated income are its annual draw, and member contributions. Combined, these account for in the region of 90 per-cent of self generated income.
All expenditure from State funding (Leaders’ Allowance & Party Fund/Oireachtas Grant) is vouched and fully audited.

Notice of Order Extinguishing a Public Right of Way

Council has today published Notice of Order Extinguishing the Public Right of Way at Bernie Spillane’s Laneway, Togher. Length of Laneway 258linear metres. Members of the public can object or otherwish make their view know by contact the council. Continue reading »

N28 Carr/s Hill Shannonpark Overlay Scheme/N28 Traffic Calming Scheme

At our recent Area Roads Committee for December and January we discussed the above issues and requested council correspond with the National Roads Office to obtain an update.  The situation is as follows, in relation to the Overlay scheme tenders have been received and assessed and a recommendation has been made to the NRA.  A decision is awaited from them.  In relation to the traffic calming scheme, given the volume of traffic the Projects Manager considers that, subject to funding, the N28 at both Shannonpark and Shanbally should be reassessed to optimise traffic flows. We, as councillors, have previously decided that the signalisation of the Shannon Park Roundabout wouldnt yield any benefits and refused sanction for same.

Luncheon in Bunnyconnelan, Myrtleville 8th March hosted by The Greater Chernobyl Cause

This morning we had the pleasure of meeting up with Fiona Corcoran Founder of the Greater Chernobyl Cause (021)4323276 and her friends in Bunnyconnelan (thanks for the coffee guys, so relaxing with terrific view).  On March the 8th The Greater Chernobyl Cause will mark International Women’s day by hosting a luncheon at Bunnyconnelan.  (see www.greaterchernobylcause.ie) Continue reading »