Banning Smoking in Childrens’ Playgrounds.

Recently I was contacted by Chairperson of ASH Ireland Dr Brian Maurer Consultant Cardiologist who outlined why such measures would be a positive step in protecting children from the harmful effects of passive smoke inhalation.  Exposure to passive smoke (he says) has been shown to be harmful to children even in the open.  As he is eminently more qualified that I am in such matters I take his work for it.

He states that Tobacco waste and litter constitutes over 50% of our urban waste and is a serious environmental problem.  Banning smoking in childrens’ playgrounds not only removes a threat to childrens’ health, but creates a much cleaner environment for them and helps to deal with urban litter.  So its a win win.

I put forward this proposal to our Council and many speakers were in favour with the spirit of such a move (Clare Co Co have already banned smoking in some playgrounds and Doneraile Community park has similiar ban) Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown have put up signage (or are in the process) asking patrons to refrain from smoking) 

A recent survey conducted by the TobaccoFree Research Institute in the Blanchardstown area found that the majority of parents, smokers and non smokers, vitiing playgrounds with their children supported the smoke-free playgrounds idea.  In New York I understand many public places have forbidden smoking.  Now I understand that such an addiction is very difficult and while I believe adults have a choice little children dont and if passive smoking harms them we should do our best to curb where we smoke.  Recently the Minister  announced that there will be a ban on smoking in cars with children under 16 as passengers.

In addition, I was taken to task recently by a pro smoker on the Matt Cooper show and he stated smoking contributes millions to the exchequer!!  This is a flawed argument to quote a cliche (forgive me) two wrongs dont make a right.  Bad health from smoking related problems COSTS millions and lives down the line.  In addition, children observe and copy adult behaviour, surely it is better that they think smoking is unacceptable and will choose a smoke free lifestyle in time.  The council asked that ASH ireland provide us with some stats in relation to smoking in playgrounds and specifics in relation to how bad passive smoking even in open spaces can be.  When the matter comes back to us we will debate it again.  Ashire@iol.ie; www.ash.org.uk for more info.

Bus Shelters or lack of them

Recently I wrote to Minister Leo Varadkar re the matter of delivering appropriate Bus Shelters having met up with him when he was in Cork to launch the Sarsfield Road and Bandon Road upgrade.  Readers may be interested so I publish it below.

Dear Minister, 

The recent 98M project for the Sarsfield Rd and Bandon Road Interchanges is brilliant news for Cork and all the more so because of the current climate.  In addition I would like to thank your Dept for the Grant of 290,000 under the Jobs Initiative for Footpaths etc in Grange which is one of my core areas!.  That too is most welcome. 

I did have a few brief words with you re the above.  For many years now I have raised the lack of delivery of same.  The fact is the a private company ……………… usually installs these facilities.  However, it very much depends on footfall for advertising stream.  Therefore, they usually have no interest in installing these shelters in areas of low density etc.  I have written to Bus Eireann and they say they have no money for same and pass the matter to the private company.  So the matter falls between two stools so to speak.

 I believe the Department or NTA should take charge of delivery of such necessary items (given our inclement weather patterns) and possibly get an income stream from advertisers themselves.  Perhaps if more competition were introduced private companies such as the one currently involved in erecting same would respond better to the needs of the public transport users. 

You mentioned in your role as Minister you do from time to time meet with the NTA?  And I hope you can take the matter up as I am sure it is an issue of concern all over the country.

Parkgate Frankfield Residents Association

Recently some residents contacted me on behalf of the above Estate and they had a number of issues they wished to persue.  I met with one of them and the Area Engineer recently and we ‘walked the land’  While they had a number of concerns only some of which could be addressed in the short term, I was delighted to see that there is active participation by residents to trying to respond to the needs of their community. I have contacted the Estates office to find out when the Estate will be taken in charge since council officials use this to back their arguments that nothing can be done.

The Engineers response is listed below: 

1)       Old Tree (which I believe is preserved) – I have asked our in-house tree surgeon to examine.

2)       Dumping grass – Internal issue for residents.

3)       Gullies – Local Foreman to address.

4)       Stop Sign – This is not practical due to sight distance and space constraints.

5)       Internal lining – It is Cork County Council’s policy not to do so within housing estates.

6)       Speed Bumps – Not in charge of Cork County Council.

7)       Potholes – Local Foreman to address.

Update on Local Roads Completion Rate

Coveney looks forward to intensive negotiations on new CFP Policy to deliver fair deal for Irish fishermen

 
Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, welcomes the publication of the EU Commission’s proposals for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy .  The new proposals follow a lengthy consultation process where Ireland made a detailed submission in response to the Commission’s April 2009 Green Paper, following full consultation with the fishing industry and other stakeholders.  
 
The Commission’s proposal is setting the framework for the Common Fisheries Policy for the period 2013 to 2022.  The proposal covers the main policy aspects of the CFP involving access to waters, conservation and management of the resource, external fisheries policy, aquaculture, consultation mechanisms with stakeholders.  
 
Minister Coveney said “I welcome this opportunity to reform the CFP and ensure that the policy is fit for purpose.   From my visits to coastal communities and my meetings with fishermen and other stakeholders it is clear to me that we need to aggressively reform the current policy.   I welcome many of the new elements of the Commission’s reform including the maintenance of the 12 mile coastal limit access restrictions, the commitment to the introduction of fisheries based multi-annual management plans, focus on improved data collection to improve scientific advice and strengthen controls, the commitment to promoting the aquaculture industry and particularly the strong commitment to dealing with discards.”
 
Minister Coveney will be setting out Ireland’s position on the proposals at next week’s EU Fisheries Council.  Minister Coveney added “I will be working closely with the Irish seafood industry and other stakeholders over the coming months to protect Ireland’s interests in the reform process.”

1M for Local Authorities under Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme

2010 National Litter Report shows 72% areas surveyed have high level of cleanliness

Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has announced the provision of €1 million to local authorities under the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme, and a further €0.5 million to assist local authorities in dealing with litter at key tourist locations during the peak summer season under the Tourist Season Anti-Litter Grant Scheme.  The Minister published the 2010 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System report which provides important statistical data about the extent, causes and composition of litter in Ireland

Minister Hogan said; ‘My Department is committed to providing support to litter awareness initiatives in order to educate and create greater public awareness of the positive social and economic effects a litter free environment can help provide. I am today announcing the provision of €1 million to local authorities under the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme, and a further €0.5 million to assist local authorities to help make Ireland green in key tourist locations during the peak summer season under the Tourist Season Anti-Litter Grant Scheme. My Department will continue to engage with the EPA, the local authorities, the NRA, Fáilte Ireland, community groups and other interested stakeholders to ensure that litter levels continue to improve across the country. It is crucial that we all work together to present the country in the best possible light. We must create an attitude amongst the public that littering is an unacceptable, anti-social behaviour with damaging societal and economic consequences. Together we can make a difference.’

 Minister Hogan welcomed the publication of the 2010 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System report saying that; ‘The report shows that litter levels across the country continue to improve, with over 72% of areas surveyed demonstrating a high level of cleanliness. This is the best result achieved since monitoring began in 2002, when only 48% of areas surveyed achieved this level. It is evident from these results that anti-litter measures in place across the country are working, and I commend the local authorities and community groups for their ongoing efforts. However, we must all continue to work together, to ensure that improvements are maintained in the current challenging economic climate’.

 The 2010 report reveals that: 

• There has been an increase in litter free areas from 6.8% in 2009 to 9.7% in 2010;
• 62.8% of all areas surveyed were slightly littered, a decrease of 0.7% on 2009 levels;
• Moderately and significantly polluted areas have decreased by 1.5% and 0.6% to 24.2% and 3.1% respectively;
• The percentage of grossly polluted areas remained constant at 0.3%
• Cigarette related litter (51.4%), food related litter (23.5%), packaging litter (11.3%), and sweet related litter (7.4%) were identified as the main constituents of litter nationally;
• Passing pedestrians (37.8%), passing motorists (19.5%), retail outlets (10.2%) and gathering points (7.8%) were identified as the main sources or causes of litter nationally.

National Litter Pollution Monitoring System

The national monitoring system measures 3 key indicators of the litter problem – the extent, main causes and main constituents of litter pollution nationwide.  Measuring changes in these indicators over time enables local authorities to determine the effectiveness of their litter management strategies and ensure the optimum allocation of resources to tackle litter.  Thus, the main purpose of the system is to measure trends in the key indicators, allowing progress in tackling litter pollution at local and national levels to be measured.

Extent of Litter PollutionUnder the national monitoring system, the extent and severity of litter pollution is measured by using a Litter Pollution Index (LPI), which is a scale of 1 to 5 as described below:Unpolluted or litter free

1. Slightly polluted
2. Moderately polluted
3. Significantly polluted
4. Grossly polluted

 Figure 2.1            Comparison of Litter Pollution Indices (LPI) 2009 – 2010  

Figure 2.1 compares 2009 and 2010 litter pollution survey results

• 9.7 % of areas surveyed were litter free (LPI 1), an increase of 2.9 % on 2009.
• 62.8% of all areas surveyed were only slightly littered (LPI 2), a 0.7% decrease on 2009.
• The percentage of moderately polluted areas (LPI 3) has decreased by 1.5% on the 2009 results to 24.2%.
• The percentage of significantly polluted areas (LPI 4) has decreased by 0.6% on the 2009 results to 3.1%.
• The percentage of grossly polluted areas (LPI 5) has remained constant at 0.3%. 

Prescribed standards for each category of LPI have been circulated to all local authorities to ensure a consistent approach nationwide to measuring the extent of litter pollution in the surveyed areas. 

A key feature of the national monitoring system is its focus on monitoring in areas that are polluted or are likely to be polluted i.e. where potential sources of litter are located.  To this end, local authorities determine the locations for their surveys using maps produced by specially designed Litter GIS software, as follows: 

• 40% in “high risk” locations (e.g. in town or city centres) where the concentration of potential litter sources is greatest
• 40% in random potential litter generating areas – chosen by the Litter GIS software
• 20% in locations chosen by local authorities, based on local knowledge of litter pollution. 

Accordingly, the national monitoring system is biased towards measuring the nature and extent of litter pollution in those areas most likely to be littered; it will measure trends in these key indicators over time.   The System provides a reliable overview from which trends and conclusions can be drawn.

Causative Factors of Litter Pollution

The main causative factors of litter pollution identified in the litter pollution surveys were as follows:

• • Passing pedestrians continue to constitute the greatest single causative factor of litter pollution, accounting for 37.8% across all local authorities, a decrease of 0.5% on 2009.
  • Passing Motorists increased as a causative factor by 1.2% to 19.5% in 2010

• Other causative factors which increased from 2009 to 2010 include gathering points, fast food outlets, places of leisure/entertainment and fly tipping.
• Causative factors which decreased from 2009 to 2010 include schools, bus stops and construction sites. 

Litter Composition

Local authorities also carried out litter quantification surveys (or item counts) to determine the composition of litter in their areas.   A breakdown of the main constituents of litter pollution is highlighted in Figure 3.1 below: 

Figure 3.1            Composition of Litter in 2010 Broken Down into Main Categories 

From this data it can be seen that:

• Cigarette related litter, continues to constitute the highest percentage (51.4%) of litter nationally, an increase of 6% on 2009 figures – this is comprised mainly of cigarette ends which constitute 46.4% of all litter items;
• Food related litter, at 23.5%, a decrease of 5.7% is the second largest category of litter pollution recorded.  
• Chewing gum is the single largest litter component in the food related litter category, and also the second largest component nationally, comprising 21.4% of all litter recorded in the litter quantification surveys carried out in 2010, this represents a significant decrease of 5.9% on the 2009 figure
• Packaging litter at 11.3%, a decrease of 0.7% is the third largest component of national litter pollution recorded.   

A more detailed analysis of the litter pollution and quantification surveys data is available in the Report. The full 2010 system results report will be made available on the Department’s website www.environ.ie
NOTE 

1.  Tobin Consulting Engineers were appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as the Litter Monitoring Body (LMB) in May 1999 to develop a national litter pollution monitoring system and oversee local authority implementation of it.  The main purpose of the monitoring system is to generate, by means of surveys, reliable data to enable each local authority to measure accurately over time changes in the extent and composition of litter pollution in its area, and so provide for more effective litter management planning.

2.   In essence, the system requires local authorities to:                                                               i.      identify / map the potential sources of litter in their areas,                                                             ii.      use this data to identify the locations for surveys to determine the composition and         extent of litter pollution in their areas,                                                            iii.      carry out further series of surveys annually thereafter, the results of which can be compared to the “benchmark” or previous years’ survey results to measure progress in tackling litter, and                                                           iv.      complete the appropriate forms for the surveys and forward same to the LMB for analysis / assessment. 

3.   The LMB, on receipt of the survey data from local authorities:

                                                          i.            reports back to each local authority with its assessment of that authority’s survey data, and 

                                                       ii.            collates the survey results in a national overview and presents it to the Department.

4.   There are two types of surveys required – 

• Litter Pollution surveys to determine the extent and severity of litter pollution. 
• Litter Quantification surveys to identify the composition (i.e. the type and origin) of litter pollution prevailing in a particular area.  

5.   The litter quantification surveys identify nine broad categories of litter:

 cigarette related litter

• packaging litter (i.e. takeaway, glass, metal, paper, plastic)
• food litter
• paper litter (e.g. bank slips, bus tickets, newspapers, magazines etc.)
• plastic litter (i.e. non packaging litter e.g. plastic cutlery, toys etc.)
• deleterious litter (e.g. dog fouling, nappies, needles, syringes etc.)
• bulky litter (e.g. household appliances, furniture, etc.)
• sweet related litter
• miscellaneous litter (i.e. items not covered by the other categories e.g. twine, clothes, fabrics etc.)

2011 Jobs Initiative Smarter Travel Funding Package

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar announced that the following Cork County Council has have been awarded funding for sustainable travel projects under the Jobs Initiative.
.  This funding has been allocated as part of an overall spend of €15 million under the Jobs Initiative on sustainable travel projects. The criteria were that projects should be labour intensive in order to maximise short-term job creation, and could be completed within the 2011 calendar year. Local authorities were also asked to prioritise initiatives to boost tourism. Local authorities which submitted more than one project were asked to rank them in terms of priority. Funding for these projects is only available in the 2011 calendar year. 

N25 Bandon/Sarsfield Interchanges Upgrade Progress Update

I am delighted to give details for the commencement of the project which when completed will certainly improve traffic flow and hopefully eliminate the delays particualrly at peak hours that we all have had to endure for many years.  Wednesday 6^th July 2011 has now been established as the contract start date for the above scheme.   Cork City Council have appointed SIAC Construction Ltd. to carry out the works.   Arup Consulting Engineers will act as Cork City Council’s representatives for the Contract and RPS Ltd. will act as SIAC’s designer’s for the Scheme.

 The Scheme comprises the upgrading of over 3km of the N25 South Ring Road including:

• Grade separation at Sarsfield Road Roundabout and Bandon Road Roundabout.
• Construction of a realigned dual carriageway along the new route.
• Construction of new parallel link roads between Sarsfield Road and Bandon Road.
• Demolition of existing pedestrian bridges at Sarsfield Road Roundabout and near Bandon Road Roundabout.
• New cycleways and footpaths.
• Installation of traffic signals, signage including gantry signs, public lighting, noise barriers, etc. 

A scale model indicating the scope of works to be carried out as part of the scheme is on display in the foyer of County Hall – this area is open to the public during normal office hours.  A two year construction period has been indicated giving an initial contract completion date of July 2013. 

Preliminary works will be getting underway over the coming days.   These will include survey works, identification and location of existing services, establishment of site office, material deliveries to site etc.   These preliminary works will continue for a number of weeks and no disruption to traffic flow is anticipated during this period.

Preliminary works include the setting up of a project office on site.  Contact details for this project office will be circulated in due course.   Also, a 24 hour freephone helpline will be established for the duration of the construction phase – again contact details will be circulated in due course.     

Regular progress updates will be issued throughout the construction phase highlighting any milestone events and also advising on any anticipated disruption to traffic.   These updates will be carried on the National Road Design Office website www.corkrdo.ie.   

The National Road Design Office website can be accessed via either the Cork City Council www.corkcity.ie website or the Cork County Council website www.corkcoco.ie.   Those who are interested in obtaining the progress updates directly by email should forward their email address using the contact details above. 

A 60km per hour speed limit will be in place in the works area throughout the construction phase and the cooperation of motorists using the route is requested in order to ensure that the project can be safely completed.

Minister announces merger of VECs

Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn T.D. announced today that the Government had approved a revised reconfiguration of the Vocational Education Committees system. 

He said he was  pressing ahead with the work on restructuring the VEC system. The reduction in the number of VECs was decided after considerable weight due to a submission made  by the IVEA who had expressed concerns regarding the configuration decided by the previous Government”

Today’s decision confirms that the number of VECs will be reduced to 16 but involves different mergers to those previously announced.

The set of mergers approved by the Government today is more appropriate according to the Minister.  He  also indicated that legislation to bring about the changes was being prepared and that it would involve the consolidation of the provisions of the existing nine Vocational Acts into one new bill.This new bill will reflect the important role which these new entities will play in relation to education and training in the future. 
The sixteen revised VEC areas are as follows :

• • City of Dublin 
  • City of Cork  and Co. Cork
  • Co. Dublin and Dun Laoghaire  
  • City of Limerick, Co. Limerick and Co. Clare
  • Co. Donegal
  • Co. Kerry
  • Co. Tipperary North and South
  • City of Waterford, Co. Waterford and Co. Wexford
  • City of Galway, Co. Galway  and Co. Roscommon
  • Co. Mayo, Co. Sligo and Co. Leitrim
  • Co. Cavan and Co. Monaghan
  • Co. Louth and Co. Meath
  • Co. Longford and Co. Westmeath
  • Co. Laois and Co. Offaly
  • Co. Kildare and Co. Wicklow
  • Co. Kilkenny and Co. Carlow

Primary School Transport Scheme to St. Lukes National School, Douglas

Recently I have been contacted by anxious parents of pupils who attend our local Church of Ireland  School, St Lukes National School Douglas, Cork.

Their concerns are in relation to possible withdrawal of the bus service which has served the Farmers Cross/Ballygarvan area for the past 40 years.  It is natural that there are concerns that such a possible withdrawal which services St. Luke’s National School to a minority Church of Ireland population in its environs, and which they feel could have serious consequences for the rights of the Church of Ireland Children to access Church of Ireland Education.

I have contacted the Seanad spokesperson on Transport and have placed a motion before council seeking the support of my colleagues against any possible withdrawal of this service.  I will keep all concerned informed.