Councillor Kevin Humphreys called on all residents of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount to contact their Progressive Democrat and Fianna Fáil representatives to honour their election promises to stop the incinerator. “An incinerator on the Poolbeg Peninsula will lead to over 1,000 extra heavy goods vehicles a week through our community, it will also destroy the amenities of the Poolbeg Peninsula and Sandymount Strand and increase the dioxin in the air we breathe.”

He says that local residents have “suffered foul odours from the sewage treatment plant for the last three yeas and this community stands united against another costly, foolish and untested plan to build an incinerator in the Poolbeg Peninsula.”

Sinn Fein Councillor DaithíDoolan, has called for, “the establishment of a task force to develop the Poolbeg Peninsula to ensure that this opportunity is not squandered by developers’ greed.’’
Speaking recently Cllr. Doolan said, “the Poolbeg Peninsula is the subject of a proposed multi billion euro development, aiming to house 10,000 people over next couple of years. But what appears to be missing is the needs of the new residents and surrounding communities.

“While I welcome the development of this area of Dublin, it must be environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. For too long this part of Dublin has been a dumping yard for dirty industry. Neighbouring communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount must have their needs met with this development. We must ensure that this peninsula becomes part of the solution to the city’s needs and not simply a developer’s paradise and a residents’ nightmare.’’

Fine Gael Councillor Lucinda Creighton is concerned about the need for extra resources to police litter louts. “In light of the recent National Litter Report, which illustrated a huge challenge facing Dublin City in tackling dirt on our streets, we need to see immediate action,” she explained.

“The Council recognises that Dublin City is beset by litter pollution, with one of the worst records in Europe. However, Dublin City Council has proven to be particularly poor in respect of fining those responsible for this pollution.”

Labour Councillor Dermot Lacey recently complained about what he regards as secret meetings held by Minister Ivor Callelly. “In what can only be described as a vote of no confidence in the Local Government system, Minister Ivor Callelly held the first of a series of secret meetings called the ‘Clare Street Initiative’ to discuss an integrated traffic management system in Dublin.”

“The meetings were deemed confidential and were not publicly announced and not one elected representative was invited to take part.” Lacey says that by not involving his fellow elected representatives, “he has ensured that any plan emerging from this process will undoubtedly be weaker and will take far longer to implement.”

Cllr. Garry Keegan has called on Dublin City Council to immediately make €25,000 available to improve the surface of the pitch in Irishtown Stadium. Local football clubs such as St. Pat’s, Markevick Celtic and Liffey Wanderers have been left in a very difficult position with nowhere to play their league matches.

If the pitch is not re-surfaced and the necessary irrigation system installed, these clubs will be forced to return to using the nearby Ringsend Park, which in turn will upset other local junior football clubs that are currently using the park.