Dublin City Council play Scrooge on it's most vulnerable citizens
dublin |
bin tax / household tax / water tax |
news report 
Tuesday December 22, 2009 10:15
by Paula Geraghty
mspgeraghty at yahoo dot ie
Video report from Bin Tax protest at Dublin City Council's Estimates meeting. The estimates copper fasten the drive to make the poorest in society pay for the running of Dublin City.
Fianna Fail introduced the Budget attacking the public sector, the poorest in Irish society and public service users.
It was the turn of Labour and Fine Gael to add to the burden of pensioners, carers and those on social welfare and other government supports by voting for the Council Estimates. This got rid of the Bin Tax waiver scheme, increased waste charges for residents by 5% and reducing commercial rates by 2%.
A protest was called at short notice outside Dublin City Hall.
See and hear Cllrs Louise Minihan (Ind), Cieran Perry, (Ind), Brid Smith and Joan Collins (both from People Before Profit) give their opinions on what was happening and what Dublin residents can do.
Caption: Video Id: 8322758 Type: Vimeo
Video Report : Dublin City Council Estimates meeting protest
Comments (79 of 79)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79I was there last night,it was Sinn Fein that introduced the Budget.Still in bed ,I am so sick.
On Morning Ireland today, it was reported that the bin tax waiver has only partially been removed. Those who are entitled to a waiver will still not have to pay the standing charge but will have to pay approx €94 a year for the bin collection. Is this true?
The figures presented by Dublin City Council are based on households presenting there bins on average every three and a half weeks. The charge for the grey bin is €6 per lift and €2 for the brown bin. While those on a waiver are exempt from the standing charge they will still face a bill in the region of €150 per year which is in addition to cuts in welfare of 4.1 per cent along with cuts to child benefit. There have also been cuts to local services which will have a much greater impact on those with lower incomes. Meanwhile the City Council also agreed to reduce the commercial rates to businesses in the city by 2 per cent. Dublin City Council already had the lowest commercial rates of all five city councils in the state. The loss in revenue to the city of this cut will be in the region of €6million which is being off set by imposing additional charges on those who can least afford it. The politics of Green Toryism as Eamon Gilmore described the Fianna Fáil/Green Party budget has it seems infected City Hall.
Interestingly one Sinn Féin councillor supported the budget and another moved for the vote to be taken thus denying some of the independent councillors the opportunity to voice their opposition to the budget. The non-show of Sinn Fein at the protest outside City Hall would seem to suggest that are quite content with the pact they have with the Labour Party on the Council. In years gone by they ever present on pickets against cuts in local services and double taxation in the form of bin charges.
In due course the Council will attempt to impose water charges on domestic households. What position will the Labour Party and Sinn Féin adopt in relation to this. If last night is anything to go by there will be little oppostion from within City Hall. Time to build grassroots opposition to water charges.
Last night's vote for the Dublin City Council Budget shows clearly the need for an alternative to the left of the Irish Business Party. Sorry, the Irish Labour Party. The transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich was even more direct than the general cut in local authority funding versus NAMA, payment for the crisis, etc. The waiver and other cuts were made as the commercial rate to Dublin business was cut by 2%. It could not have been a clearer choice and the Irish Business Party of Eamon Gilmore, and Jack O'Connor, came down completely on the side of the rich.
Last night's vote also shows the need for an alternative to Sinn Féin with, once again, their cute hoorism of one or two breaking ranks to ensure that there is no real upset to the establishment. Coalition in Stormont and in Dublin.
It is time for all genuine left candidates, People Before Profit Alliance, Socialist Party, South Tipperary Workers and Unemployed Action Group, Eirigí, Irish Socialist Network, left Independents, in the next election to gather together in an electoral alliance to present an alternative to the heros of 21st December 2009.
The Workers Party have condemned Monday night’s decision by Dublin City Councillors to all but abolish the waiver system on refuse charges in a vote on the city’s annual Estimates.
Dublin Region Workers Party spokesman John Dunne said that the imposition of a €94 per annum charge on those already struggling to get by was only the “tip of the iceberg” and predicted that this would rise dramatically in the near future.
Mr. Dunne said that the Workers Party is opposed to domestic service charges as a matter of principle because they constitute a form of double taxation but that the waiver was very important more than 40,000 Dublin city householders on low incomes.
“What is most incredible about this decision is that the Labour Party and Sinn Féin voted for it. It only shows how hollow and false their condemnation of the recent budget really is. Labour and Sinn Féin politicians correctly railed against the recent social welfare cuts but their councillors have effectively voted to cut Dublin city residents’ social welfare by a further €2 a week through this decision”, said Mr. Dunne.
Referring to Monday’s High Court decision in favour of private refuse operators, Mr. Dunne said that the court was wrong to simply regard the city council as another competitor in the refuse collection business. “Unlike private companies out to make a profit, the council has a statutory responsibility in relation to refuse collection. Monday night’s council decision only paves the way for further privatisation of the refuse service and for water privatisation within the next few years, especially since the government has now given the go ahead for water charges in which many of the same firms have a strong interest”, he said.
Meanwhile in Cork, Workers Party Councillor Ted Tynan hit out at the Labour Party who last night supported the Estimates containing major cutbacks in services including Housing Maintenance, Road and libraries. Labour also strongly opposed an attempt to transfer funds from the councillor's travel budget into the Housing Maintenance programe. "Labour have cried an ocean of crocodile tears over the recent budget but when the crunch comes they have implemented similar cuts here in Cork City and are happy to see councillors going off on junkets to unnecessary conferences while vital services are slashed. They are totally dishonest about providing an alternative to the present Fianna Fáil / Green Party coalition and a FG / Labour government will implement the same anti-worker, pro-banker policies". said Ted Tynan.
A mass campaign of information via door to door leafleting is needed on the under the radar charges that will kick in in the new year.
Make pensioners aware that medical card charges will hit them and the sicker they are the more they will pay and now with waste charges the wedge has been entered, as they will dip further into their pensions for these and more charges.
If we mobilise along side and with our senior citizens, we will make nerves fray among those politicians who pushed this through while dropping commercial rates in a micro nama move for DCC and their cronies.
And lets not forget to remind all of the multi billion gas give away.
It seems that Sinn Féin are all over the place on this issue. There was no Sinn Féin presence at the protest on Monday nor did any of the Councillors come out before the meeting to show their support, which they have done so often in the past. Strange for a party that claimed to be vehemently opposed to the cuts and the ending of the waiver. One of their councillors voted in favour of the estimates and was applauded by his fellow Sinn Féin councilllors when he outlined his reasons for his support. When it came to the vote four SF councillors voted for and one against. Now Sinn Féin has issued a statement criticising one of its own councillors, yet were happy to applaud him on Monday night. http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/17942 The statement has been issued in Cllr Larry O'Tooles name who is a constituency colleague of Killian Forde. The vote was moved by the Sinn Féin team on the Council, if they were so opposed to the Estimates why did they put it to the floor to be voted on? Could Sinn Féin members clarify whats going on. Will further action be taken against Cllr Forde? Or is this just window dressing and was Cllr Forde's vote the price Labour asked in return for Labour continuing with the pact on the Council which gives SF the Chair of the one of the Strategic Policy Committees (Financial Development) which automatically gives them a position on the Corporate Policy Group despite only having five Councillors.
Given the Labour Party's support for this draconian budget why has Sinn Féin not moved with the same speed as they did to criticise one of the own Councillors, who they were happy to applaud in the Council chamber, and ended the political pact with Labour on the Council. For the last two years Sinn Féin have said they are committed to building a 'left' alternative with the Labour Party and some of their senior members went as far as calling on SF voters to give Labour their second preference vote at the last general election. Labour has demonstrated that it supports the interests of the business class and not the working class. Does this spell the end of the pact and the building of a 'left' alternative with Labour? Next year is going to see a major escalation in the campaign against the cuts and we will also be facing into a major campaign on the water charges. Can Sinn Féin with any credibility campaign against these issues while simultaneously supporting the Labour Party on Dublin City Council? Time for some clarity .
Killian Forde may be joining another political party soon as his talks with them progress.
Hello.
Thanks for that Paula.
Is there a link to the relevant DCC proceedings?
Ron.
Dermot Lacey, whose vote introduced the bin charges, has once again been shown to be a hypocrite.
Emer
by Dermot Lacey Fri Dec 07, 2007 09:11
Emer,
People on Social Welfare or those who are not within the Tax net do not have to pay the Waste Charge. That is there because labour Councillors who supported the principle of a charge where determined to protect those who need it.
Lacey fully supported this years budget to force the same people as he mentions above into paying. A stooge ans a pretty dumb one at that.
Dermot Lacey wants to be Mayor of Dublin. Some chance. We all remember him as the two faced liar who voted in the bin charges. Now he's attacking the poor and workers again at the behest of the city manager and the Fianna Fail government. Sad Git.
Stands for: Do your Best
Couple of facts not that it bothers too many people on Indymedia.
I am happy that in preparing this years City Council we have done our best to retain a waiver for the Standing Charge and some free lifts. The power on this however remains with the Manager because the campaigning tactics of the psudeo Trotskyist Left managed to have the power removed from us.
When I did have the Power my casting vote ensured the retention in full of a waiver for those on Social Welfare or low incomes.
My vote many years ago did not in fact introduce charges. They had already been introduced some years previously - facilitated by the convenient absence of a number of SF Councillors.
I am a Social Democrat. I do not share the opt out political philosophy - thought that is an over polite word - of the Far Left so do not be so disappointed that I do not support your inane objectives on this matter.
However it strikes me as somewhat bizarre that on the one hand you clearly state that I support charges - which I do - and then call me a hypocrite for voting in support of same. Instead of posturing I used whatever influence I had to minimsie the effect of those charges on those for whom it would be difficult to pay. Thats politics in action not posturing, pretending and protesting as so many of you are so much happier engaing in.
Ah dermot, the same ould rant about the trots. Forget those middle class posers, What about your betrayal of us, the ordinary tax paying householders who were landed with this double tax by yourself, at the behest of the Fianna Fail government. Another Labour Party stooge for Fianna Fail.
Hoping for a senate nomination? Hoping for a gig in the Council? Whatever reason you were happy to vote for extra taxation on ordinary workers and now you are happy to vote for taxes on the elderly and needy. Perhaps Labour dalliances with the blueshirts has rubbed off so much as to turn you'se into FG lite. Or perhaps you are just pissed off because the former loony left took over your party and are now in the leadership positions. Sticks and stones...sticks and stones.....
In certain areas of their 'Property Portfolio' Dublin City Council expect 1 Man to cater for up to 400 , yes 400 properties ,
I see the man on Monday ,Wednesday and Friday working his heart out to service up to 24 Closed Units which are accesible
by a strong steel door ,This task is then followed up by the arrival of a huge Bin Lorry which then removes the waste for disposal to God Only Knows where .....In the said Flat Complex the powers that be have installed an array of purpose built type portakabins where the 'manager sits with the select few ' while the children have not even a proper football playing area of safety to call their own ...In other parts of same Flat Complex the work area which caters for the elderly of our era cook & serve their meals on a daily basis ,All employed by our Famous Fas Fwends while not one member of THAT staff are even residents in said Flat Complex....Lest we forget the % of families of at least 4 members who are forced by Dublin City Council to exist behind closed doors of a 1 bed Flat ,ie a sitting room measuring 13feet X 12 ,and a bedroom measuring 13feet x 12 ,plus wc and a small kitchen area where a Cat would commit 'hari kari' rather than be swung around said kitchen, All quite illegal of course to the unfortunates who reside within but not to the knowalls who receive their attendance fee's of up to 17k per year, and rising....... and swan around with their air of self importance which smacks of ,Man's inhumanity to Man' , divil a bit do they even care .
THEY manage to skutter their way through ''meaningless meetings'' whilst their good tenants suffer in silence , kindly reminded they have a roof over their heads by the 'facesless lot 'of Dublin City Council who should retitle their job descriptions as 'Banksters of money' for to keep their well paid titles afloat...
The likes of Dermo and his buddies from all parties would serve us better if they got off their well rounded posteria and look at the human side of living in their 'Big Brother type of Property Portfolio's' where the Euro is King and The Image seems not to matter to their oversized political ego's and their necks which would put a jockey to shame....Run the lot of them out of Dublin City Council and replace the present system with a system designed around the milk of human kindness ...
Frank ( Kluskey) you must think thats a very clever name. One of the truly great things about the real Frank Cluskey is he ahd not time for the poseurs of the Far Left. As usual you are wrong.
My vote in 2002 saved the Waiver for people on Low Incomes and Social Welfare. because of the activities of your lot the power to do this was removed by law. Councillors did not have a vote this year on the waiver etc - because it is no longer within our remit.
Petra,
I partially agree with you re public housing and the failures therein. For the record i have never lived anywhere but a house provided by Dublin City Council. I grew up in one and my parents and brothers and sisters tenants for all my years growing up and when i married bought another Corpo house in a Corpo estate where I still live.
Dermot Lacey ....While i thank you for having the manners to reply to my comment above may i ask you a simple series of questions ? What do you 'partially agree on' in relation to my comment ?
Would it be the illegal conduct which is being practiced by Dublin City Council as outlined ?
Would it be the 'internal jobs for the boys' who do not reside in the area i refer to ?
Would it be the Dublin City Council employee who is overworked in his continuos effort to deliver a proper hygenic bin collection service ?
Would it be the portakibin employees who are pulled in by favouritism bestowed upon them by ones in the know ?
Or would it be the UTTER CONTEMPT shown by Members of Dublin City Council whether they are of one party or none ?
Or perhaps maybe it's the taste of Salmon which the smoke salmon socialites enjoy having rammed down ther palates as a result of their tongues being attacked en masse when they have finally got the seat they pwomised they would and the tears rolling down their cheeky cheeks while they watch their names being associated with Dublin City Council's Property Portfolio and the good they said they would do ...And Didn't ....
,My vote in 2002 saved the Waiver for people on Low Incomes and Social Welfare. because of the activities of your lot the power to do this was removed by law. Councillors did not have a vote this year on the waiver etc - because it is no longer within our remit.,
This is gombeen distortion typical of someone cynical enough to be member of a socialist party while being against socialism.
Laceys vote passed the bintax in 2002 and was expressly against his partys mandate . It was the furore and protests of "our lot" i.e ordinary people that shamed the council into having a waiver -many of whom were jailed for their peaceful protest by the FF/PD junta - a gross abuse of the law which was shamefully defended by him.
Petra,
I am not aware of the complex you are referring to but am very happy to take the matter up if you would contact me directly with the details. My email is dermot.lacey@labour.ie
I do not support the exploitation of anyone and if circumstances are as you describe take up the issue.
Dermot Lacey
Caobhin,
You may not like the truth but the facts are as I outlined.
I have never claimed to have voted against waste charges. That would be stupid as I do support them and have voted for them.
I have stated that my vote in 2002 and 2003 protcted the waiver for those on social welfare and low income. I have done so because that too is the truth.
I have never claimed to be a Socialist becaue I am not. I am a Social Democrat. There are many fine Socialists in the Labour Party whom I respect very much. I have no time however for the pretend Socialists of the far left.
In Reply To Dermot Lacey ....
Dermot ..If you dont know what area i am referring to may i ask you one more question ?
What the hell are you doing as a counciller on Dublin City Council in the first place...
You people are so out of touch with the ordinary tenants of Dublin City Council's Property Portfolio it beggars belief ....You have just asked me a question and replied to your 'question asked'.
Ah dermot, you're at it again. You say "Councillors did not have a vote this year on the waiver etc - because it is no longer within our remit.". You forget that you could reject the budget and retain some principle in that jelly spine of yours. Majority reject budget and its shit hitting the fan time for the City Manager. Threats to absolve the council - can you imagine Cowan taking on that task with the country in this state. No, managers would roll over and retain the waiver.
The power lost by the councillors was taken away by Fianna Fail not the lefties. You and your uncle tom friends rolled over without a fight. What about all the councillors on the take a la Frank Dunlop. Have they not disgraced the position of the council yet you still whine on about the left.
The "former" left took over the Labour Party and now control it. The same people will not restore power to you if elected to govern because they see councillors as irrelevant. Labour have the majority of councillors in Dublin ( plus another one on the way !!! ) and yet you align yourselves with a right wing party. Labour have the Lord Mayor position yet she made no comment about these attacks on the poor and elderly.
Finally, you did F**k all to protect people from cuts. The workers in the corpo have taken savage wage cuts and these are the people keeping this city afloat.
Petra,
There are over sixteen thousands flats in the ownership of DCC. For example the blocks in my own area are reasonably well looked after and have just ahd a major Precinct Improvement Scheme completed. There are hopeful;ly detailed plans on the way for the other block in my area - which will significantly improve the area. I do genuinely want to assist the particular problem you are suggesting and again please contact me if you want me to take the matter up.
Richie Ryan,
You may like the politics of oppositionism I prefer real action. On the waiver the facts show that when i ahd the power I protected it.
Opposing the City Council on an issue over which we had no control would have been stupid and only of benefit to the Officials in the Departments of the Environment and Finance.
I agree that DCC workers play a huge role in making the City a better place which is why i have always supported them - abolishing the Council and allowing it come under the control of the Beuracrats in central Government would be an ultimate act of betrayal of those staff.
Anyway to you both keep the flag flying!!!! and Happy New Year.
Mr Dermot Lacey ,Again many thanks for your manners in reply to my comments .
When you outline exactly , in full view of all Indymefia Readers what you are referring to ,ie what subjects you are prepared to examine as i have outlined above then i of course will have no problem in replying to your most welcome offer .
This will have a 2 tier effect ,by you publishing exactly what you intend to examine and 'fix' then i can report back to Indymedia readers and the tenants concerned of any results you may or may not see through ...Its known as a new way for politicians to 'earn a crust' and keep you in the goldfish bowl so to speak .....Publish and be damned Dermot..Do not be shy.
Hi Petra,
Again i repeat my offer to you to directly contact me about this.
On the specifics as far as i can detect them from your posting:
Can you clarify the location of the complex you are referring too? I can then take the following issues up either directly or through the relevant Area Committee:
1) Is the staff person you are referring to as catering for 400 people playing a Caretaking role, maintenance role or managerial role - or any other role?
2) Can you clarify what you mean by 24 closed yet accesible units?
3) If there is a need for improved playing facilities and i accept your suggestion that there is again please give me the location and I will see a) if there are any plans to install same or b) work with my local Labour colleagues to see if we can secure same.
4) Is the area you are referring to one of the collapsed PPP rejuvenation areas? My own view is that the Government should facilitate DCC engaing in direct employment contracts to carry out these necessary works.
5) I agree that as far as possible that Local labour should be applied and have supported Local Labour Clauses on several occasions. This is particularly so if FAS is being used as even the name of the schemes "Community Employment schemes" indicate that such is one of their purposes.
6) Housing is one of the key responsibilities of a Local Councillor which is why in my own area I have secured Precinct Improvement Schemes for flat complexes, initiated several direct Build of Social/Affordable Homes as a member of the Docklands Council some years ago proposed the very first 20% Social/Affordable requirement in the country and am currently working on two schemes one that will see approximately 30 Affordable homes built in my area and one that will see about 30 Social homes in my area.
7) I am not perfect and do not get everything right but i do my job as a Left City Councillor as best as i can and in the interests of no one other than ordinary people and Dublin.
Spoken like a true politician ....
The Name of the Flat Complex is as Follows ......Dolphin House ,South Circular Road ,Dublin 8.....
Please bear in mind Dermot You are not dealing with Muck here ,ok as long as you are aware of the fact that anything you attempt to investigate in this complex and results completed in a satisfactory manner and with the agreement of Indymedia
Personell should be published in all future writings and to at least lead to some form of a much improved future for all tenants concerned ...Have i got your word on that score....?
No surprise to see him backing this pro-business, anti-people, anti-working-class budget and the despicable bin waiver decision, as those are simply his politics. Whenever anyone with genuine concern for the poor and others targeted by DCC (and I have my own problems with PBPA, but at least they speak up for us) raises these issues in the chamber, Dermo is among the first to shout them down.
At least the people of Dublin won't have to suffer him much longer; his Dáil delusions are in tatters after one too many foot-in-mouth episodes, and the dogs in the street know he's gone from Pembroke Rathmines at the next election. And that will be the story of Labour's Royston Brady, the little social democrat who couldn't.
Just to be clear I have repeatedly stated I do not have "Dail ambitions" that remains the case. I am committed to staying within the local Government structure to help reform Local Government so that it can deliver.
For the record i would consider myself working class. Grew up in a Council House, live still in a Corpo estate, did not go on to Third level education. Spent several periods unemployed. I fight for the rights of ordinary people every day on the Council and that includes standing up to the poseurs whose only real concern is that they recruit more people to their protests.
As for the electorate of Pembroke-Rathmines. I cannot fortell the future but i am honoured to have been re-elected in 1999, 2004 and 2009. I hope they will continue to have trust in me.
Petra,
if it is ok with you i intend to submit an item to the next meeting of the South Central Area Committee qouting your original posting and see what response i get. i will of course be happy to report back to Indymedia on that.
Mr Dermot Lacey ......I look forward to your response following your submission of data in relation to Dolphin House, Dublin 8
Petra,
I have written to the Area Manager and will respond to you when i have a response.
Dermot
Mr Dermot Lacey ..I would ask you to bear in mind some useful facts.
1) There is a population of approx 1,000.. people residing in Dolphin House .
2) A lot of discontent amongst the above is prevalent within...
3)This area is a 'closed shop' when it comes to local's being employed within.
4)This area works on a 'not what you know but who ' and must cease..
5) Politicians dont seem to give a tupenny f*ck about people within D.H.
6)Immediate concern's must be taken on board in relation to genuine case's of inter transfer's re overcrowding .
7) Certain local social service's have been hit through the last budget from Hell and must be reversed.
8)A Safe playground area must be developed for children of local's without any further delay...
9)The poor laxadasial attitude/approach by Dublin City Council towards tenants is out of date and must change fortwith.
10) People such as your good self must change your attitude towards us in order that we begin to respect you and yours.
Hi Petra,
I am taking up nine of the points the only point i wish to register disagreement on is the last one - 10)
There is nothing in my behaviour or record that will show that I have anything but absolute respect for people who live throughout Dublin City including Dolphin House. I will point out tha two years ago at no political or personal advantage to me but with a considerable time committment I acccepted an invitation form community/residents groups from the South Inner City to chair the Local Drugs task Force in that area. It is something i am delighted to have done and my respect for such community organizations has grown enormously in that period.
Dermot
Mr Dermot Lacey ...You are to be commended on your stance in relation to the scourge of drug taking and the evils that follows such a misguided route through the 'life' that follows ...I beg to differ when i write of the majority of the approx 1,000 plus population within Dolphin House do not engage in such recreational past times , but unfortunately we have become embroiled or tagged as a result of the devastation which appears to 'link' us with the scourge of such which has obviously led politicians such as your good self to harbour such attitudes towards us as a community .
I do not have to remind you of the decent people within who are proud to reside in a drug free atmosphere and we do our best to lead an honest life where we actually work in good paying jobs for our sins .
I suggest you go and seek out Mr Eric Byrne who came to our community centre some 4 years ago with his 'figures' for the proposed buying of our homes ,although Mr Eric Byrne came dressed like a Louis Copeland model ,Burberry coat included and to attempt to wipe our eye with his valuation of apartments based on some fine new buildings which at the period of his great coming were currently under construction in the Thomas Street area of Dublin , he too was short shifted from the Dolphin House area ,burberry coat included and we have seen him but once when he canvassed for his ill fated seat at the last general election ,and incidentally the community centre which housed The Great Eric Byrne fashion show has since gone perhaps cynically speaking as in memory of ''The Late Late Show of Eric Byrne.''....
The same community centre has been replaced with modern portakabins which as stated house 'the elite' of whom are hand picked by another good and 'fine labour man' who saunters in and out when it seems to suit and whose claim to fame is he doe's not reside in the Dolphin House area not even in Dublin 8 area would he rest his weary head and hops into his mo mo and its f*uck Dolphin House humming as he heads for his abode ,counting his over paid salary as just another piece of
cake to be eaten at his leisure.
Dont for one minute Mr Lacey sit there behind your computer and try and tell me that The Dublin City Council Personnell respect the people of Dolphin House , They are taking good rent to the tune of 20k + per week from the tenants and to deny us the respect we so richly deserve must be addressed pronto...We do not allow ourselves to be downtrodden by the likes of the overpaid personnell mentioned where the vast majority would'nt even know where Dolphin House is situated .
I for one understand the art of ''Body Language'' and in case you are under any misguided illusion i happen to be educated also , however in case the post may be late i certainly received no card or e-mail from My Landlord to wish me or mine the seasons greetings or indeed a happy 2010 ,never have and certainly never expect to receive such a shock to the system .
One remark i will pass is one can be damn certain of the 'plastic glory ' enjoyed by the ''Bosse's'' of Dolphin House during the knees up prior to the christmas 09 festivities of which said so and so's clap themselves on the back and commend each other for another great year of 'management' .....Easy to 'manage' Dolphin House dont you agree when part of the vocabularly consists of running the place on a shoe string where not even the tenants would bother themselves to even x the portakabin doors to request as much as a new hall door only to be told the tried and trusted yarn of ''its the cutbacks'' beaming from the mouth of the 'manager' ,that was once upon a time and this is now....
Hi Petra,
First of all happy New Year and i hope you ahd a good Christmas. I don't have a "Burbery" coat and to be honest don't know what it is so forgive me if I ignore your fashion comments.
It is precisely because I know that the vast majority of the people of the Inner City as elesewhere are appalled at the scourge of drug abuse imposed by a tiny minority that i am glad that I got involved in the Task Force. The reality however is that is the decent people of many of these areas that have to bear the brunt of the criminal elements pushing their disgusting trade.
Many Thanks Mr Lacey . A Burberry Coat Is A Fashion Icon , well known to People not afiliated To The Once Proud Labour Party . It would be more acceptable to persons and much preferred to The dreadful NIKE Clothing bottoms or tops which are a scourge to a lot of area's such as ....If i had my way and with a grant of some description from The I.D.A. I personally would open a proper clothing shop in order to change the dressage of this area with a view to a Dublin 4 area image and as you know the dress code of any area seems to give a positive attitude in relation to the image seen and the image sought .
You and i have a massive hill to climb as in educating the locals of that there is no doubt ,all that is required is a little education and a little piece of positive thinking to which one can relate..People are screaming for leadership of a positive manner and nothing less will suffice , Stay with us on this one Mr Lacey ,see where and how far we as a community can go forward and then you can redeem yourself and others simply by becoming involved in a little bit of history - in -the making which will, if properly handled ,could make This area an area to be proud once again instead of being an area linked with anti social behaviour and down trodden linkage to which there are no winners young and not so young & perhaps your commital to your desire to assist will eventually reap it's rewards in full of which you will contradict your 'slagger's ' and put them in the place they are meant to be...It is easy for your tormenter's to critisize ,of course it is so let us see how good and kind hearted you are by your good intentions followed up by your great results of which you are more than capable of acheiving.
You ,Mr Lacey are nobodys fool, as i ,am nobodys fool ....Touche .
Jeysus Dermot, you must be sick with envy. As I mentioned before, Killian Forde has joined Labour and will be a candidate for them in the next General Election. Meanwhile you slave away for the City bosses doing their dirty work against ordinary people and Labour won't even give you a sniff of a chance in the next election. There are donkeys and there are donkey owners. How's the hay Dermot?
At least Dermot L. had the decency to come on here and discuss an issue with people directly which is a lot more than many will do. And he was polite and patient too. Give the man that at least. If he gets nothing but abuse for his troubles he won't do so again in a hurry and he'd be right. So at least try to be nice and try to move the conversation somewhere constructive ok. Dermot, some of us here appreciate movement even some small movement like this. Don't be put off by the hecklers. People notice things like this.
May i 'intervene' and commend Activist for his point of view .
I also am grateful to Mr Dermot Lacey for playing this very important situation out in full view of Indymedia Readers ,The man has nothing to hide and it is the measure of the man himself that he has taken aboard the task of assisting & to a certain extent bypassing red tape in our efforts to seek change directly from The Powers That Be of Dublin City Council .
Mr Lacey & I could very easily have exchanged e-mail address's to which we both could have then begun a process of communication ,If any interested reader would wish to view our writings thus far on Indymedia then one could see for them selves that Mr Lacey was indeed good enough to post his e-mail address whereas i chose not to ......
This indeed could be the start of something new, and with the to and fro corrospondence the stage is set for transparancy
then perhaps the real issues (to be challenged) may be debated with a no-holds-barred tolerance and let us hope the future will overtake the past in our genuine attempts to have 'an even playing field' which can be viewed as a testimonial to truth and honesty which ,of late, seems to have become unfashionable to Public Servants ( whom i may add are our employees)
who have been quite content to just view the waste paper baskets as the solution to everything and anything which may have been sitting on their desks begging for replie's that were never meant to be replied to in the 1st place .......
Petra,
here is the reply I have received to your queries.
Dermot Lacey
Dear Cllr, Please see reply to the complaint that was received below:
There are 392 flats in Dolphin House which are looked after by 4 caretakers. One of their resposibilities is to pull out the bins for the bin cars and to replace them in the bin chambers when emptied. There is an estate office occupied by the Project Estate Officer in the mornings and a full support team in the Liberties Area Office.
Portacabins have been installed adjacent to the Community Hall by the Dolphin House Community Development Association with the permission of Dublin City Council. The Development Association run a number of programmes from the offices which support the residents of Dolphin House. Dublin City Council does not have any staff who work out of them.
The football pitch has been resurfaced by D.C.C. and is fully functionable and a new playground has also been installed.The issue around the FAS scheme who prepare meals for the senior citizens is also inaccurate as there is at least one tenant from Dolphin House employed on that scheme.
If there is a family of 4 who are living in a 1 bedroomed flat, they should call in to our estate office to discuss their situation. All efforts will be made to resolve their housing situation.
Dolphin House has been identified as a complex for regeneration requiring complete demolition and rebuild. After an extensive consultation with the tenants throught the Community Development Association, the majority of tenants have agreed with this. It will be extremely challenging to deliver a regeneration project in the current economic climate however Dublin City Council has committed staff resources to plan for the regeneration over the next year with a view to being in a position to take advantage of an upturn in the market. All planning will be done with the residents of Dolphin House through the Joint Redevelopment Board chaired by Fergus Finlay.
I hope this answers your query and if you require any more information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mr Dermot Lacey ..
Again many thanks for the information you have been supplied with and which you have so graciously passed on to me ....
Unfortunately some of the figures are simply not matching up with what we have so i will do my homework and get back to you A.S.A.P.
Things are indeed hotting up, Mr Lacey .....
Mr Dermot Lacey .................Without Prejudice.............................
May i request from you or through your contact within Dublin City Council a full list of personnell who are employed within the
walls of Dolphin House...I am not interested in 'names' i am interested in numbers...The full list i require would relate to ...
1) The Portacabins...
2) Dolphin Park .
3)Persons working in flats which have been converted into some type of work area .
May i also request a full list if people working within the walls of Dolphin House who are, shall we say 'gainfully employed' in
Community Employment Schemes and if they are within the FAS system or not ....
Again i am not concerned about their names i am merely concerned about the total numbers of personnell employed.
I must also 'get back to you ' in relation to strong rumours of vacant flats, Within Dolphin House, which are being filled by new tenants in return for a type of 'Key Money' scam .
When some flats become available,Within Dolphin House, the keys are NOT sent to Dublin City Council ,They are sent to 'the system' , ie The Manager who runs the complex from the comfort of his portacabin office, who then acts as his title says, ''Estate Agent ''(with a difference) .
Keys which are handed into the Managers office ,Within Dolphin House walls , are those of former tenants of Dolphin House,
By handing said keys in as stated, certain new tenants are then selected by 'those in the know' and the new tenants seem not to have been derived from Dublin City Council's housing list ,if you follow what i mean .
This system is not helping tenants who are living in one bed flats, within the walls of Dolphin House, thereby causing an unfair disadvantage towards existing tenants, within Dolphin House Walls, of which i wrote about in my previous corrospondense to your good self ..
I can also attest to certain flats which 'came on the market' Within Dolphin House, where for example a Painter /Decorator
Not employed by Dublin City Council ,BUT from an outside contractor , paid by Dublin City Council to 'freshen up' The New Tenant's new abode ,When at the same moment in time Dublin City Council were laying off staff who were employed within the P.A.Y.E. system and who were never replaced .
You have your work cut out for you on this one Mr Lacey and i hope to hear from you real soon .
Hi Petra,
Thanks for your response.I need to do a fair bit of work here and will come back to you as soon as possible.
Dermot
Mr Dermot Lacey .
I stand accused in relation to certain details ...
There is indeed a total of 4 persons gainfully employed by Dublin City Council who are employed in Dolphin House and Dolphin Park and who carry out their duties in relation to Bin Collections.....
On a lighter side they go so quickly about their duties i will make an appointment with my local specsavers in order i should catch them in the act .
Petra .
Here's hoping we hear more from Mr Dermot Lacey during the coming week in relation to his impending report re D.C.C.
& FAS.
It is now 8 days since we last heard a peep from Mr Dermot Lacey....My oh My what would Dermot be finding out that is not being published on Indymedia ?
Hi Petra,
Nothing unusual in the time lag. Because of the timing of previous postings and particular Council meetings I was able to get answers quickly.
Following Petra's response to the answer that I did receive and posted I have taken steps to have those issues addressed. As soon as I have those I will post here - but it will be mid February - I don't have the date of the meeting yet.
The issues Petra raise and deserve a response so while I am not an elected representative for that area I am pursuing the issues concerned.
Just a little reminder to Mr Dermot Lacey to let him know it is now the 2nd of March 2010 , Mr Lacey assured us he would
be in touch mid february with details of his findings in relation to Dolphin House .
Hi Petra,
As you know I did follow up the initial queries you had and then posted the replies here. I am not a member of the South Central Area Committee and therefore do not have an ongoing working relationship with the staff there hence I pursued the matter through the much slower written procedures measure. i have not yet received a reply to that yet but will follow up again. There may be some further delays there because of the justifiable anger among many Public Servants re the levies etc.
I will follow up again.
Dermot
Received loud and clear & thank you for being such a gentleman re your courteous reply , Petra .
Fair play to Dermot Lacey . Although I still don’t agree with it , Cllr Lacey's attitude in support of the bin tax has been clear and consistent . He has also been prepared to come onto this site and defend his position .He has been polite and patient too as another poster pointed out .
As somebody who hasn’t paid my bin tax and whose bins haven’t been emptied since before Christmas , I'd like to hear from the SWP and Socialist Party dominated anti-bin tax campaigns about what I should now do . There are a lot of people on my street in the same position as I now find myself in –people who were entitled to waivers but didn’t apply for them out of solidarity to the campaign. The main organizer for the anti-bin tax campaign around my way is Kevin Wingfield from the Socialist Workers Party who hasn’t issued any public statements on the matter recently that I am aware of .
There seems to have been no word at all from the campaign organisers since this statement put out by Brid Smith at the end of January .
“The Anti Bin Tax Campaign is waiting on a decision on the Supreme Court case fairly soon. The hearing finished early January. Whatever the outcome is we will be organising local meetings in response .”
I wonder whether Anti-Bin Tax Campaign activists in other parts of Dublin have any clearer idea of what’s going on than we have in the Finglas / Ballymun area. People have been piling up black bags in their gardens , and there is likely to be a health hazard if this thing goes into the summer .
Great to hear you're not paying.
Turns out anyone who hasn't paid since its introduction is in a good position as there is a time limit that the council can go back and demand arrears of you.
Try getting in touch with Joan Collins or Brid Smith. They're very easy to contact all their contact info is available on the people before profit website: http://www.people-before-profit.org/Candidates
Let's fight this all together!
Let us win his all together!
Fighting talk there from Bin Campaigner ,but no real news in the post . The People Before Profit Councillors he/she suggested I should contact were both prominent in the campaign against the bin charges , but the Anti- Bin Tax campaign itself hasn’t written anything. Cllr Brid Smith writes in her local PB4P newsletter that the Anti Bin Tax campaign was “ extremely disappointed with the outcome “ of the Supreme Court ruling of January . But the fact that its leading members would put such store of hope in the Supreme Court in the first place suggests that the campaign had been lost at street level . If that is the case the Anti-Bin Tax Campaign itself should say so publicly and not ask people to contact the PB4P which is a separate organization .
It is sickening to read Dermot Lacey here defending his right wing ideology. What is sickening about it is that he remains in the Labour Party. He is one of a long line of hypocrites that seek political gain under the cover of Labour. He clearly does not undestand the very basic prinicple of socialiasm.-redistribution of wealth. The best way to do that is to provide services free at the point of delivery. The bin charges are just another form of Thatcher's poll tax, redistributing wealth upwards.
I hear he wants to be Mayor, I have no dounbt that he has a great chance of getting it, after all, parasites tend to stick together.
If Dermot Lacey clearly doesn’t understand the ‘very basic principle of socialism ‘, he can’t be a hypocrite when he acts against that very basic principle surely . He would be hypocritical only if he understood socialism as well as Plato obviously does ,while knowingly flouting its basic principles .
Plato reveals his/her political identity by making these references to Margaret Thatcher’s poll tax Fake anger and genuine nastiness of tone are other giveaways. Go to the end of that long sickening line of hypocritical parasites you mention Plato -you’re a member of a group that once sought political gain under the cover of Labour!
Only kidding Plato . I don’t doubt but that you are a genuine socialist activist . But don’t take things so personally ,don’t make yourself sick . And seriously , doesn’t Irish history provide enough examples of social inequality -and resistance to it - to take precedent from , without having to harp on about Margaret Thatcher’s poll tax all the time?
Hi Plato and Joe,
First of all thanks Joe for the comments. While there are interesting disagreements here on this site I do try and treat posters with respect. I am not a Socialist - I have never claimed to be. I am a Social Democrat and have been all my adult life. However I do believe that I am part of the broad movement of the Left and that is why I post here.
I do take exception to the suggestion that I am a hypocrite. I have always stated my positions upfront and have taken unpopular stances where I believe it is the right thing to do.
My entire political life has been about the advancing of issues on behalf of ordinary men, women and children. On housing, the environment, youth and community affairs and much more that is what my politics is about. I have worked with many on the Far Left on issues of mutual concern and interest and hope to again in the future. However I am not on the Far Left and should be judged on my principles and policies and not others.
Joe, just post your anti bin tax campaign membership number and I will post you out our latest bulletin.
Why , is there any chance of Richard Boyd-Barrett coming over to empty my bin like he was doing over Dun Laoighre? If you need a membership card number for that I'll see if I can dig mine out . I'm sure I've got it somewhere amongst the piles of garbage.
Otherwise I could do without any more more garbage thank-you . I want to know what I should do with the lot I've got now in my back garden. Is there no chance of you giving us an update on what the situation is here on this site or give out a website where the info in the bulletin is available ?
Hello Dermot , guess what , i have managed to locate the important thread we were seeking .
Petra .
Thanks Petra,
Can you post it please or email it to me and I will follow up.
Mr Dermot Lacey . There is no need to post or send it on to you , the details of which are already above you on this page .
If you study the details above and see where we left off .
Petra .
Thanks Petra,
I see where it is now and will send to the Area Manager seeking a reply.
Dermot
We have , in our possesion a report which suggests all is not well 'within the walls of Dolphin House ', Dermot , to my limited
knowledge of such reports i find this particular one very disturbing to say the least , it contains results of findings , by N.U.I.
Maynooth , of very high levels of fungal contamination , due to earlier 'tests ' on certain address's within , it goes on to say
how 'the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus ' is very worrying since this is a known human pathogen which can cause a
variety of pulmonary (Lung ) diseases , and so on .
Could you please look into this serious matter Dermot and pull out all the stops as i am sure you will agree how concerned
we all are ,.
Thank you ,
Petra .
I AM requesting you to reply to this comment
Hi Petra,
In addition to the previous query which i have resubmitted to the Manager I have also submitted the new point about the "fungus".
Replies from Officials are complicated at present because of the Industrial Dispute - but i hope we can resolve any outstanding issues. As you know this is not in my Area so I am not a member of the relevant Area Committee so have to go through more formal routes.
Mr Lacey . May i remind you sir , this report which we have in hand contains results of research which has been carried out
by a senior lecturer ( microbiology ). this is not a 'run of the mill report ' in fact it is a damning report which D.C.C. have not
bothered their collective posterias to inform tenants about . its about our health , the levels of contamination within is simply
outragous , the report ends and i quote ''The fungal contamination evident in these houses is far greater than i have EVER
recorded in domestic dwellings & is a significent threat to THE HEALTH of The Occupants '' , ie us .
Now i can play legal on this one , believe you me Mr Lacey , i am no fool , no more than you are , we will not be 'fobbed off '
by the D.C.C machine , to cut to the chase why were we not notified and bearing in mind this report is dated 14/04/10 ,
it leaves a lot of unanswered questions and doe's absolutely zilch for the residents of Dolphin House .
I trust , in your capacity as a counciller you will ignore the geographical context of your social calling , become a pioneer &
get us answers before this report becomes an out of hand scenario .
Petra .
Petra,
Precisely because I accept the seriousness of the points you make I am ignoring my "more localized responsibility" and taking the matter up.
I accept you have raised a serious point that requires a detailed answer and am seeking such.
Mr Lacey . i trust you will do all to achieve our request , i await your report , in the meantime i will send by post a 'true copy '
of said report to your home address , i will register same and post to your home address , which i should locate , reason being the work to rule which is ongoing in D.C.C. and i would feel to post it direct to your good self would find you sooner
rather than later .
As always .
Petra .
Hi Petra,
thanks
there is no problem finding my address. Not sure if I am allowed to piost it here but 66 Beech Hill Drive, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 it is
Loud & Clear .
Petra .
Hi Petra,
Got your letter in post and have submitted this question for the next City council meeting.
Dermot
Question for the Manager – June City Council
To ask the Manager if he can issue a comprehensive response to the serious issues raised in the correspondence submitted with this question and to refer the substance of the question and reply to the South Central Area Committee for further discussion by the members.
Dermot Lacey
Mr Dermot Lacey . while i compliment your rapid reply in relation to your generous intervention on our behalf may i further add
why do we have to await for the city manager to reply as far away as june 2010 ?
However , the wheels of justice are in motion , i assume you can see how utterly serious the detailed report has become .
You are a true gentleman .
Petra .
Petra,
We have to wait for three main reasons:
1) Because I take your issue so seriously I have tabled a formal question to the City Manager which MUST be replied too at a City Council meeting. We are only allowed a maximum of four of these so the fact that I am using one on this issue should indicate that I do take seriously the issue.
2) The next full City Council meeting is on the 14th June ( delayed because of Public Holidays)
3) Because of the current Industrial dispute anything other than a formal Question may not be replied too.
Dermot
Mr Dermot Lacey .
I am to inform you of a meeting in the community centre , within dolphin house Dublin 8 circa 25 May 2010 .
The proposed meeting is of course, in relation to the shocking revelations contained in the report which i have sent to your
home address and which you have acknowledged you are in receipt of .
Perhaps when i have verified full details of such ( time etc ) i can post same here on Indymedia , who have been so kind
as to permit this story to become a topic of great concern to the residents of Dolphin House .
May i also take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for all your efforts and patience which has not gone unoticed .
Petra .
Mr Dermot Lacey ..I trust you have been following the news bulletins which were directly linked to that report which i sent to
your home address by post recently .
Hopefully you may be in a position to follow up on your proposed question at D.C.C in mid June 2010 which outlines the
health hazards caused by sheer negligence on the part of Dublin City Council .
Incidentelly may i also add another piece of valuable information , Dublin City Council , knowing what they knew in relation to
said report have had a team of up to 10 painters 'doing up the exterior' of Dolphin House Flats for the past 12 weeks ....
Makes one think of the sheer corruption which is on going in D.C.C. Painting over the filth and dirt is their way of covering
up their sheer contempt of decent hard working residents who are being exposed to dreadful health threats , divil a bit do
they care about us of that you can be sure .
We wish to pay Indymedia our greatest respects for allowing this thread to remain a link in order that our fears be exposed ,
and to you Mr Lacey for having the good manners and courtesy to do the best you could on our behalf , although you do not
reside in or represent our 'catchment area' you should take a bow for your courage .
Petra .
Thanks Petra,
I have indeed been following the news. You had told me the event was on today (Wednesday) I am sure in error rather than Tuesday and I was planning to attend.
Nevertheless hopefully the hearing yesterday, my question to the Manager and the work of local activists will all help. I will post the formal reply here when I receive it.
Dermot
Yes i agree the dates became mixed up Mr Lacey due to unforseen circumstances ;
apologies .
Petra .
Hi Petra,
Here is the official reply as promised. There was also a joint motion from the four local Councillors that was agreed. Both at my request and that of the four local Councillors the issue will be on the agenda for the next Area Committee. i will give the local Councillors and the people of Dolphin House any help that I can.
Question to City Manager City Council Meeting 14/06/2010
Q3. COUNCILLOR DERMOT LACEY
To ask the City Manager if he can issue a comprehensive response to the serious issues raised in the correspondence submitted with this question and to refer the substance of the question and reply to the South Central Area Committee for further discussion by the members.
Details: Copy of letter from Mr. Kevin Kavanagh, Microbiology, NUI Maynooth.
CITY MANAGER’S REPLY:
Mould is usually caused by a number of factors including, lack of thermal insulation, lack of an adequate heating system or the improper use of the heating system, lack of adequate ventilation or improper use of ventilation openings, maintenance of the fabric of the building, general upkeep and decoration of the flat including cleaning by the inhabitants, (contributory factors include drying clothes on radiators, inadequate ventilation of tumbler dryers, not opening windows/vents to allow steam to escape etc). These factors all contribute to the build up of moisture in the air which can lead to mould growth.
The matter is being referred to the South Central Area for report and discussion.
Hi Petra,
Here is the official reply to the query re Dolphin House. There was also a joint motion from the four local Councillors on the issue and now at the request of the Local Councillors and myself the issue will be on the agenda of the next South Central Area Committee. Any help I can give to the local Councillors and the people of Dolphin House will be readily forthcoming.
Dermot Lacey
Question to City Manager City Council Meeting 14/06/2010
Q3. COUNCILLOR DERMOT LACEY
To ask the City Manager if he can issue a comprehensive response to the serious issues raised in the correspondence submitted with this question and to refer the substance of the question and reply to the South Central Area Committee for further discussion by the members.
Details: Copy of letter from Mr. Kevin Kavanagh, Microbiology, NUI Maynooth.
CITY MANAGER’S REPLY:
Mould is usually caused by a number of factors including, lack of thermal insulation, lack of an adequate heating system or the improper use of the heating system, lack of adequate ventilation or improper use of ventilation openings, maintenance of the fabric of the building, general upkeep and decoration of the flat including cleaning by the inhabitants, (contributory factors include drying clothes on radiators, inadequate ventilation of tumbler dryers, not opening windows/vents to allow steam to escape etc). These factors all contribute to the build up of moisture in the air which can lead to mould growth.
The matter is being referred to the South Central Area for report and discussion.
Many thanks to you Mr Lacey for your prompt reply following your representation on our behalf to Dublin City Council .
i understand you went over & above the call of duty considering you, A) do not represent our area , B) you cancelled another
question , which you had perhaps pre planned to ask , in favour of our's .
Only one little point i would mention , the word 'inhabitants' is not a nice word , would you ask , on our behalf please that he
use the word 'tenants' in any future corrospondense , his terminology could be misconstrued as to appear we are some type of cave men/ women , : - )
Best Wishes .
Petra .
Fair point Petra - which I will take up. Thanks for your comments.
to the above mentioned , we in Dolphin House wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to you both for allowing this thread to remain active in order to hi light the problems we , as human beings are facing in Dolphin House , Dublin 8 .
You kindness will never be forgotten .
Best Wishes .
Petra .
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