Press
admin January 19th, 2009
Greens Canal Bank Clean Up
14th April 2009
Spring Clean for the Royal Canal
Green Party representative David Geary, a local election candidate for Dublin City Council in the North Inner City ward, has organised a canal bank clean up for the stretch of the Royal Canal between Cross Guns Bridge and the Drumcondra Road. The clean up, part of the National Spring Clean initiative, takes place on Saturday 18 April commencing at Cross Guns Bridge at 11.00 a.m.
“I fully support the objectives of the National Spring Clean,” says Mr Geary, “April will see locally organised initiatives all over the country. I hope local residents will join me to get rid of litter from this stretch of the Royal Canal.”
Mr Geary is calling on Dublin City Council to introduce measures in the City Development Plan to realise the potential of the Royal Canal as leisure and recreation amenity for residents of the North Inner City.
“The Grand Canal is a walking route from the Liffey to Bluebell, commemorated in poetry. There is no reason why the Royal Canal cannot be turned into such an amenity for residents of the North Inner City. This is a step in raising that awareness,” he said.
[ENDS]
David Geary calls for free public transport for tourists in Dublin
12 March 2009
David Geary, Green Party Representative for the North Inner City has proposed the introduction of free public transport passes in Dublin City for tourists.
Noting that Dublin’s bus and rail system is under utilised during off peak hours, David Geary commented: “Our research shows that in general tourists prefer traveling during off peak hours and it is at these times that our public transport system runs with a high percentage of empty seats. Ask anyone in Dublin when was the last time they saw a half-empty bus pass by. By offering these empty seats to tourists free of charge it will make Dublin a far more attractive destination at little real cost to the tax payer.”
Tourists arriving by plane or boat could use their boarding cards and proof of return journey to be granted a free travel card for Dublin City for the duration of their stay. The cost of such passes would be marginal and this could be met by contributions from travel companies such as airlines and ferry companies who could offer public transportpasses as part of a package. David Geary said: “It would be great if visitors here for St. Patrick’s day would decide to come again to spend more time in Dublin. The costs of a tourist travel-pass would be far exceeded by the economic benefits for Dublin.”
Commenting further Geary said “Dublin Bus has a problem with its revenue and needs to promote innovative schemes such as this to attract passengers. An integrated travel pass for Dublin would make it easier for tourists to travel around our city and would mean that people would choose to visit Dublin rather than other cities. This would keep jobs in Dublin.”
Geary stressed it is Green Party policy to enhance Ireland’s public transport system and to find more ways to encourage its use. “I would view this as merely a first step towards fully integrated public transport ticketing in Dublin. My proposed scheme is a win-win for the environment, for tourists and for Dublin.”
David Geary calls on service providers to act with launch of NBS
21 January 2009
David Geary, Green Party Representative for the North Inner City has welcomed today’s launch of the National Broadband Scheme and said the improvements in broadband availability and speed will bring a much-needed boost to the country.
”Ireland has been far too slow in providing adequate broadband coverage. I am delighted that today, thanks to the determination of my colleague, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan, details of the National Broadband Scheme have been announced.”
”However, the fact that many areas of Dublin’s North Inner City still cannot avail of high speed broadband in 2009 is beyond a joke.” said Geary. “The North Inner City should be, and has the potential to be, a model urban environment for the rest of Europe. During the Celtic Tiger years it was the Taoiseach’s own constituency, yet its problems were not tackled and it was not transformed. How can this be explained?”
”In the 21st century broadband is basic infrastructure and I am delighted that Eamon Ryan has taken the action required ensure adequate broadband coverage for the country. Dublin should lead the world in broadband but instead the opposite is the case. A recent report by Oxford University once again shows that Ireland is falling behind. The market has failed the North Inner City and service providers in Dublin must follow Eamon Ryan’s lead to ensure that high speed broadband is available across the North Inner City. This is the centre of our capital city - I don’t think it is too much to ask.”
The Oxford University report may be seen at:
The National Broadband Scheme will bring the internet to the remaining 10 per cent of the population who currently have no service, covering roughly a third of the area of Ireland. Half of that area will be covered by the scheme by the end of the year, with Ireland having 100 per cent broadband coverage by September 2010.
Tony Gregory’s work must be continued
2 January 2009
David Geary, Green Party Representative for Dublin Central North Inner City today offers his condolences to the family of Tony Gregory and his partner Annette.
“Tony Gregory will be sorely missed. He was a politician of principle and integrity who worked tirelessly for the North Inner City and Dublin Central and spent much of his life fighting for the underprivileged and combating the scourges of drugs, crime and poverty in our community.”
“It is important that this work is continued so that the people of Dublin Central can have a safe and fair community that fulfills its potential as Ireland’s premier urban space.”
Taxi Regulator must end racist rumors
2 December 2008
David Geary, Green Party Representative for the North Inner City, today called on the Commission for Taxi Regulation to put an end to racist rumors about non-Irish taxi drivers.
“For months there has been a vile rumor in Dublin about taxis driven by non-Irish nationals”
“The rumor suggests that non-Irish persons, specifically men of African origin, are driving around Dublin city centre looking to pick up female passengers with the intention or harming or raping them. The rumor also suggests that there have been cases where Irish (i.e. white) women have flagged a taxi driven by a black male only to find a second black male hiding in the rear of the car with the intention of attacking female passengers. The rumor suggests that the woman in each case had a lucky escape.”
“I have seen no press reports of any prosecution or Garda investigation of such activity. Therefore it appears that this could be a racist rumor designed to discourage people from using taxis driven by non-nationals.”
“This racist rumor appears to be having an effect as some women have told me that they are now afraid to use a taxi driven by a male who is not white.”
“I have today written to Ms. Kathleen Doyle, the Commissioner for Taxi Regulation, and Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy to ask whether the Taxi Regulator or the Gardaí have ever received a complaint by someone who has actually encountered such activity and whether the Gardaí are investigating any specific cases of attacks of this nature.”
“I have requested that the Commission for Taxi Regulation and An Garda Síochána take action to put an end to this racist rumor”
“Racism has no place in Irish society and everyone in Ireland has a duty to challenge racist sentiments and racist behaviour.
Green Party Representative David Geary welcomes funding for warmer homes this winter
David Geary, Green Party Representative for Dublin Central – North Inner City has welcomed a €15 million package to help insulate homes this winter. Speaking after the announcement today by Energy Minister Eamon Ryan David Geary said fuel poverty was a real threat to those on low incomes.
“Approximately 60,000 homes across Ireland are not heated to a safe and comfortable standard. I know of many older houses in the North Inner City that are not insulated against the cold and damp conditions. We are already experiencing very cold conditions with snow falling in some places in October and it could be a very harsh winter.
“I am delighted that Minister Eamon Ryan has announced this funding to save up to 50% of energy use in homes. The scheme is about improving the quality of homes and addressing the structural issues that cause energy loss so that heat does not escape through the roof or chimney. This funding will make the homes of those on low incomes more comfortable and help those living there to save money on fuel and electricity. This will particularly improve the lives of the elderly, who are the most vulnerable.”
The Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland and provides funding through 20 community based organisations to those on low incomes for the installation of energy efficient measures in their homes. These include attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, draught proofing the home and the provision of lagging jackets.
Government funding for the Warmer Homes Scheme has been doubled to €5 million for 2008, with an added €5 million for 2009. ESB and Bord Gáis are jointly contributing €5 million to bring the total for 2008 and 2009 to €15 million.
“In the next year the Government will be spending over €350 million on helping households meet their energy costs, through weekly fuel allowance, and free units of gas and electricity. I welcome that the fuel allowance scheme has been extended by two weeks into April next year.
“More efficient use of energy is the easiest way to address energy affordability now and in the future. I would encourage those interested in the scheme to contact the SEI or to directly contact CHIP on 01-4670344 or Energy Action on 01-4545464 to get involved.”
David Geary thanks organizers of 2008 Dublin Marathon
27 October 2008
“I would like to thank the organizers and sponsors of the 2008 Dublin Marathon. This was the first time I ran a marathon and I enjoyed the event very much and am pleased to have finished in 3 hours 49 minutes.”
“In order for the North Inner City live up to its potential we need to promote healthy and active lifestyles. Sport is a very important part of this and people can engage in sport at different levels, for example by running, jogging or enjoying the amenities of the North Inner City by walking or cycling.”
Geary calls on Libertas to give answers
29 September 2008
David Geary, Green Party Representative for Dublin Central North Inner City, said in a discussion with Declan Ganley on Newstalk Radio (Saturday Edition 27 September 2008) that the debate surrounding the funding of the Libertas Lisbon Treaty campaign raised three questions:
First, whether the funding involved any breach of the law.
Second, what the agenda of Declan Ganley and Libertas are. As staff of Mr. Ganley’s company, Rivada Networks, worked on the Libertas campaign there is a direct link between Rivada Networks and the Libertas campaign. The directors of Rivada Networks include a number of US Neo-Conservative and military figures including Donald Rumsfeld’s advisor on Iraq. Why did this company intervene in an Irish referendum? Mr. Ganley also announced his intention to found Libertas in an article written for a US Neo-Conservative website in 2003 as he was angry that the EU did not support the US invasion of Iraq.
Third, whether Ireland is happy to permit a situation where rich individuals can influence the outcome of a referendum by spending spend huge sums of money to promote outcome they favour.
David Geary said that the funding of Libertas raised important questions and that the Irish people deserve answers.
- Comments(0)