Richard Humphreys

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES AMENDMENTS TO GOATSTOWN AREA PLAN

2012-01-18T11:05:00.000Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Sunday, 15 January 2012

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES AMENDMENTS TO GOATSTOWN AREA PLAN

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the decision by the members of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to pass a number of his amendments to the Goatstown Local Area Plan at its January meeting.

“These amendments will strengthen the plan and will protect residents against some of the adverse impacts of future development” Humphreys said.

The council amended the plan on a number of issues on foot of amendments submitted by Cllr Humphreys. These included a motion that any development at the Knockrabo site on Mount Anville Road would be carried out in such a way as to minimise traffic impacts on the residential amenities of adjoining estates.

“I also welcome the passing of my motions to avoid excessive signage at the crossroads between Goatstown, Mount Anville and Taney Roads. This location has been a bit like Times Square in recent years with a proliferation of unnecessary signage and I hope this will be minimised in future” Humphreys said. “I also submitted a motion to strengthen the language of the plan regarding provision of a playground in the area and I am glad that this was also accepted.”

“I was also happy to second Cllr O’Dea’s motion to cut back on the scale of future redevelopment of the Topaz site on Taney Rd. I am concerned as to the impact of any large development on this site on residents and I welcome the fact that this amendment has now triggered further public consultation on the draft plan.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Photo caption: Cllr Humphreys at Goatstown with a copy of the Draft Area Plan

“DOGS UNLEASHED” MISINFORMATION IS DISAPPOINTING - HUMPHREYS

2012-01-17T20:48:00.002Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

DOGS UNLEASHED MISINFORMATION IS DISAPPOINTING - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has described as unhelpful and as misleading to the public statements by the Dogs Unleashed group which suggest that “no concessions” to dog owners are being made in proposed new beach bye-laws.

“There needs to be a balance in our beach and park bye-laws between the rights of dog owners and indeed the welfare of their dogs, and the rights of all other users of public spaces.” Humphreys said. “While I cherish the role of dogs as companion animals for many of our citizens, there are also many dogs that are not under proper control. Over 100 complaints were received in 2011 by the Council in relation to unleashed dogs, dog attacks or dog waste. Dog waste left by dogs that are not under proper control can cause serious diseases particularly in children. These facts cannot be ignored by the Council.”

“In that context the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Manager has proposed amendments to the Council’s existing beach bye-laws which would give greater freedom – but not of course complete freedom – to dog owners who wish to use beaches. I am disappointed and surprised that the “Dogs Unleashed” group has responded to these amendments by a completely misleading characterisation of the bye-laws.”

“Misleading the public is not acceptable and the fact that it is being done by a vocal lobby group is no excuse. The people are entitled to a fair and factual account of the bye-laws, and Dogs Unleashed has instead chosen to given an unfair account, which is a pity.” Humphreys said.

In emails to councillors, Dogs Unleashed stated that the new proposed bye-laws 'to our extreme disappointment, grant no concessions to dog owners and walkers, unless, to offer one example, getting up early and/or walking in the dark during the winter months of the year is considered to be a concession'.

“However the facts make clear that changes of substance are being proposed. The existing Beach Bye Laws adopted in 2009 do not allow a person to take a dog onto any beach during the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. during June to September. At all other times dogs have to be kept on a leash.”

“The Manager has made clear that the new draft Bye Laws propose that dogs will not be allowed on the beach in the designated bathing/lifeguard control areas at Sandycove and Seapoint all year round and on the designated bathing/lifeguard control areas of Killiney Beach during the hours 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. May to September. With the exception of Sandycove there is significant scope under the new Bye-Laws for owners to walk their dogs on Council beaches outside the designated bathing areas and on the entire Killiney Beach from October to April. The new draft Bye-Laws also state that dogs should be kept on a leash during the hours of 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Outside of these hours dogs are allowed off leash, which is a significant change from the current approved Bye-Laws.”

“To suggest that the new bye laws make “no concessions” to dog owners is demonstrably and patently incorrect.” Humphreys said.

Ends

January 2012 Council meeting webcast

2012-01-12T15:47:00.000Z

The webcast of the January 2012 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -
http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/70902

To view my input follow these instructions: Along the blue strip on top of the picture you will see three tabs, which stand for Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on the second one (index points - marked by a picture of what look like a few bullets), then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

0.17.10 and subsequent index points - various motions on the Goatstown Local Area Plan
2.27.56 on hospital service rationalisation
2.42.17 on Councillor declarations of interest

REVENUE HANDLING OF PENSIONERS SHOWS GROSS INSENSITIVITY - HUMPHREYS

2012-01-11T14:46:00.002Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

REVENUE HANDLING OF PENSIONERS SHOWS GROSS INSENSITIVITY - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has said that the recent letters issued by the Revenue Commissioners to pensioners in relation to their tax affairs showed gross insensitivity and that lessons had to be learned from the fiasco.

“A number of these letters were addressed to constituents of mine who had declared their social welfare pensions in their tax return. Despite this, the letters stated outright that “the amount we hold on our records for your Department of Social Protection pension was understated”, a wording which I find totally unacceptable and insensitive.” Humphreys said.

“This wording clearly raises the potential and indeed probably unintended inference that the pension amounts had been actively understated by the taxpayer” Humphreys said. “In other words, the letters can be reasonably read as an allegation of fraud by the recipients. This is a totally unacceptable situation and shows serious disrespect by Revenue to the law-abiding taxpayers who have complied fully with their legal obligations.”

“Some commentators have dismissed the affair on the basis that the letter was merely a warning that customers “might have an additional tax liability” as one of them put it. If this had been the wording of the letter, then I think a lot of the heat could have been taken out of the situation. But the facts were otherwise – there was no “might” about the bureaucratic and unambiguous terms of this regrettable letter.”

“Other commentators have suggested that the incident is simply one about the duty of all citizens to pay tax. But that is to fail spectacularly to see the point. Of course citizens are obliged to pay lawfully imposed taxes and charges for which they are liable – and those who say or do otherwise, such as the irresponsible politicians who call for boycott of lawful charges, are attempting to be parasites on society by shirking their own fair share. The other side of the coin is that those who do comply with the law and pay their due taxes deserve to be treated with respect by the system. The issue at stake in the Revenue’s letter is that in this respect, Revenue have let law abiding pensioners down.” Humphreys said.

Ends

December 2011 Council Meeting webcast

2011-12-20T11:44:00.000Z

The webcast of the December 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -
http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/67829

0.56.11 on multiculturalism and cultural events.
01.52.39 - my motion in support of further measures to tackle road safety, which was passed.
02.08.32 on tolling on the M50.

“CULTURAL BOYCOTT” SHOWS INTOLERANCE OF ULTRA-LEFT - HUMPHREYS

2011-11-26T16:25:00.002Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Saturday, 26 November 2011

“CULTURAL BOYCOTT” SHOWS INTOLERANCE OF ULTRA-LEFT - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has condemned the campaign for a cultural boycott of Israel, led by the Irish-Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and supported by ultra left politicians.

“The campaign to disrupt the Israeli film festival in Dublin this weekend demonstrates the extraordinary intolerance of the ultra-left.” Humphreys said. “Art and culture are by definition expressions of man’s freedom and uniqueness. To seek to debase culture to make a political point is a degradation of which Trotsky would have been proud.” Humphreys said.

“Because I cherish cultural diversity, I welcome the Israeli film festival just as I would welcome a celebration of Arab or Muslim culture. I am delighted that the Labour Party Leader, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, attended to speak at the opening of the festival, fully consistent with Labour’s distinguished record on celebrating culture and of engagement with all parties in the Middle East.”

“The pitiful attempts of the Irish-Palestinian Solidarity Campaign to bully Filmbase into cancelling the event, and their attempts to disrupt the festival, show a chilling contempt for the legitimacy of the Israeli perspective.” Humphreys said. “This totalitarian mindset is a foretaste of what would await the people of Israel if the ultra left were to get their way. I am glad that hundreds of Dubliners have ignored the somewhat absurd supporters of a cultural boycott and have come to experience Israeli culture at first hand, and judge it for themselves.” Humphreys said. “They will see the culture of a mature democracy which is self-confident and intelligent enough to highlight its own shortcomings as well as its strengths.”

Ends

COUNCIL SCULPTURE POLICY SKEWED AGAINST DUBLIN SOUTH - HUMPHREYS

2011-11-20T13:04:00.000Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Sunday, 20 November 2011

COUNCIL SCULPTURE POLICY SKEWED AGAINST DUBLIN SOUTH - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has expressed concern that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown arts policy is seriously skewed against the Dublin South constituency.

“Public art and sculptures can add tremendously to the character and atmosphere of an area. For example for many decades, the statute of the Fiddler of Dooney has been a lovely centrepiece of the Stillorgan Shopping Centre” Humphreys said.

“At the November Council meeting, I submitted a question to the Council to ask for a list of Council sponsored sculptures or public art, broken down by area. The results show a startling imbalance in the distribution of public art.”

“Less that 25% of the sculptures (10 out of 42) are located in the Dublin South Dáil constituency. The vast majority of sculptures are located on the Dún Laoghaire side of the County.”

“Of the 6 local electoral areas in the Council, the Stillorgan Ward fares the worst in terms of Council-sponsored public art, despite having two large parks and many green areas suitable for sculptures.” Humphreys said

“The Council lists two sculptures in the Stillorgan Ward for which it is responsible. The first of these is stated to be in Ard Lorcain in Stillorgan. However there is in fact no sculpture in Ard Lorcain. The second sculpture is listed as “Eden Park Drive/Goatstown”. However, Eden Park Drive is not in the Stillorgan Ward – it is in Dundrum. Furthermore there is no sculpture on Eden Park Drive.”

“I am somewhat surprised at the inaccurate nature of the Council’s list but more significantly I am disappointed that Dublin South in general and Stillorgan in particular have been short-changed in terms of public art. I am calling on the Manager to rectify this situation for future locations of statutes or other public art.” Humphreys said.

“To add to the unsatisfactory situation, Dún Laoghaire does not seem to know what to do with all of its abundance of art. The inability to agree on a location for the magnificent “Gateway” sculpture in Dún Laoghaire town has meant that this sculpture remains in storage.”

“We have also seen a series of arts events concentrated on the Dún Laoghaire side of the County. The wards in Dublin South need a fair crack of the whip.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Photo caption: Cllr Richard Humphreys at the “Fiddler of Dooney” Statue, Stillorgan Shopping Centre.

NOTE FOR EDITORS – TEXT OF CLLR HUMPHREYS’ QUESTION AND REPLY IS AS FOLLOWS

MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

14TH NOVEMBER 2011

SCULPTURES/PUBLIC ART IN THE COUNCIL AREA

Question: Councillor R. Humphreys

“To ask the Manager for a comprehensive list of all sculpture or other public art in

the Council area, and the locations in each case, itemised on a ward by ward basis?”

Reply:

DATE LOCATION

ELECTORAL WARD

1986 Entrance to Killiney Hill Park

Ballybrack

1987 Blackrock By-pass, Blackrock

Blackrock

1990 Kill Avenue, Fire Station

Dun Laoghaire

1991 West Pier Pumping Station

Dun Laoghaire

1992 Brookfield

Blackrock

1995 Loughlinstown roundabout on the N11

Ballybrack

1996 Sandyford Village

Glencullen

1997 Shankill Village, Shankill

Ballybrack

1997

not sited

(in storage Marlay Park)

1997 Rochestown Gardens, Rochestown

House Dun Laoghaire

1997 Carriglea Gardens, Carriglea

Dun Laoghaire

1997 Cois Culann, Killiney Hill Rd

Ballybrack

Stillorgan

1997 Ard Lorcan, Stillorgan

1997 Glasthule Buildings, Glasthule

Dun Laoghaire

1998 NewtownSmith, Sandycove

Dun Laoghaire

1998 Library Road, Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire

St. Kevins, Sallynoggin, Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire

1999 County Hall, Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire

not sited

1999

(in storage Cabinteely Park)

1999 Brookfield, Blackrock

Blackrock

2001 Killiney Beach

Ballybrack

2001-2003. Cois Cairn, Shankill

Ballybrack

2002 currently in storage

Dun Laoghaire

2002 Eden Park Dr/Goatstown

Stillorgan

1986 Blackrock Park Blackrock

1986 Toverna park Blackrock Blackrock

1917 Opposite Dundrum SC Dundrum

1823 Dun Laoghaire Pier Dun Laoghaire

1995

Ferry Terminal, Civic Plaza, Dun

Laoghaire Dun Laoghaire

c1920 Haigh Terrace, Dun Laoghaire Dun Laoghaire

1986 Crosthwaite Park, Dun Laoghaire Dun Laoghaire

1986 Eden park, Glasthule Dun Laoghaire

1985 Newtownsmith, Sandycove Dun Laoghaire

1986 Swan's Hollow, Glenageary Dun Laoghaire

1986 Marlay Park Glencullen

1983 Marlay Park Glencullen

1987 Marlay Park Glencullen

1994 Main st, Dundrum Dundrum

2006

now sited in Dalkey Unit for Older

Persons Dun Laoghaire

2006 Bentley Villas, Dun Laoghaire Dun Laoghaire

2008 M50, Sandyford interchange Glencullen

Contact: Kenneth Redmond, Arts Officer.

LABOUR’S RADICAL PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM IS WELCOME - HUMPHREYS

2011-11-18T16:15:00.000Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Friday, 18 November 2011

LABOUR’S RADICAL PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM IS WELCOME - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has said that this weeks publication of the Public Service Reform Programme by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, illustrates how Labour in Government are delivering on their promises and driving through real change.

“The Labour Party is committed to reforming the Public Sector and since taking office we and our coalition partners have implemented a range of measures to ensure that this happens. It is particularly welcome that a pay ceiling has been introduced for senior public servants. I also welcome the increased sense of realism of the public sector trade unions who, like us all, must now deal with a radically transformed economic landscape. The days when the Labour Party was perceived to be associated with a narrow public sector union agenda are long over.” Humphreys said.

“This however is only the beginning. As Minister Brendan Howlin’s reform document reveals, many more reforming measures are on the way. I welcome the planned reduction in Public Service staff numbers as a clear indication that this Government is prepared to take tough decisions to fight our way back to economic sovereignty.”

“The Government is committed to rationalising a number of state agencies and boards as well as the streamlining of services such as HR, Payroll and Pensions in the Civil Service. In all of these matters, actions speak louder than words and I believe that the tough and radical action of the Government will convince even the sceptics.”

“This is no time for individual politicians to be caught up with a narrow concern about their own back yards. The economic future and destiny of the Irish people as a whole is at stake, and it is to that long term national aim that the Government has firmly fixed its attention.” Humphreys said.

“This is not just about saving costs however. Reform is about eliminating waste and delivering services to the public in a more efficient way. The Labour Party is committed to this reform programme and we will continue to implement measures to ensure that this change is delivered on.” Humphreys said.

“The opposition’s complaints about the indignities imposed on the State by the IMF/EU bailout are a form of theatre of the absurd.” Humphreys said. “Those complaining most loudly are some of the people who got us into this quagmire in the first place” he added. “Labour and our partners in Government are working strenuously – and successfully – to take the tough decisions needed to claw our way back to solvency.”

Ends

November Council Meeting Webcast

2011-11-16T11:29:00.000Z

The webcast of the November 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -
http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/66620

2.19.32 on the issue of the scope of the legislation on disclosure of interests.

CHRISTMAS PARKING PROMOTION WELCOME - HUMPHREYS

2011-11-15T10:58:00.002Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

CHRISTMAS PARKING PROMOTION WELCOME - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the decision of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to give Christmas shoppers 2 hours parking for the price of one in Dundrum, Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire.

“This Christmas promotion, which runs from 15 December to 14 January, will come as a relief to hard pressed consumers as well as businesses in the County” Humphreys said.

“The scheme will operate in the EUR 2.00 per hour on-street paid parking areas in Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock and Dundrum. When a motorist pays for a minimum of one hour’s parking, no enforcement action will be taken until the expiry of at least one hour after the expiry time of the parking ticket. In effect a motorist who pays for at least one hour will get an extra hours parking free of charge.”

“The 3 hour maximum time limit will continue to apply to encourage turnover in parking spaces.”

“I am glad that the Manager has also extended the scope of the scheme which in 2010 only operated on the Dún Laoghaire side of the County, and I hope that this scheme will be a success in making Christmas 2011 more successful for all our citizens.” Humphreys said.

Ends

LICENSING SCHEME NEEDED FOR AD SANDWICH BOARDS - HUMPHREYS

2011-10-31T16:46:00.000Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Monday, 31 October 2011

LICENSING SCHEME NEEDED FOR AD SANDWICH BOARDS - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has called on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to introduce a licensing system for advertising sandwich boards.

“At the moment, there is no licensing scheme in our county for sandwich boards, which means that no business is entitled to put a sandwich board on a public footpath anywhere in the County.” Humphreys said. “I submitted a question on this issue to the October 2011 meeting of the County Council and I am pleased that the Manager has responded positively and that this scheme will be introduced.”

“Many hard pressed businesses need to let the public know of their services, and sandwich boards can be one legitimate way of doing so. This is of course provided that the street is wide enough to accommodate a board without obstructing pedestrians, and this is the sort of check that a licensing system would carry out.”

“A typical business that needs a sandwich board is one at first floor level, that does not have a shop-front presence. My attention was drawn to this problem by Ms Riogan McClelland of Skinscape Beauty on Blackrock Main St, who works on a first floor premises. Because of the lack of a licensing scheme, she was asked by the Council to remove the sandwich board outside her premises. There are many other businesses in the County that could legitimately need such boards.”

“In some places there are also boards that are unsightly, or obstructive, or are too large for their locations, and these also need to be tackled.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Photo caption: Cllr Richard Humphreys with Ms Riogan McClelland of Skinscape Beauty on Blackrock Main St, braving the weather to view the Skinscape sandwich board.

www.richardhumphreys.ie

www.richardhumphreys.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/rfhumphreys

INFORMATION FOR EDITORS

THE TEXT OF CLLR HUMPHREYS’ QUESTION AND REPLY AT THE OCTOBER 2011 MEETING IS BELOW

MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

10TH OCTOBER 2011

STREET SANDWICH BOARDS

Question: Councillor R. Humphreys

“To ask the Manager to provide a further update on the proposals for the

introduction of a licensing system for street sandwich boards?”

Reply:

“The Environment and Transportation departments have been working closely on

developing a new policy in respect of sandwich boards on public footpaths. The

proposed licensing system for sandwich boards is being done under the Planning and

Development Act, 2000 and Planning and Development Regulations 2001 as

amended. As part of this policy review the departments have also updated the policy

in respect of all street furniture including tables and chairs and also the display of

goods. A single application form for all street furniture licences has been developed

so as to reduce the level of paperwork required by businesses seeking to make

multiple licence applications.

The next step will involve making this new application form available on the Council

website and in the Council offices so that people can apply for a licence. The Council

will also go about compiling a list of all businesses that have street furniture in the

public space and will be drafting a letter informing them of the need to apply for a

licence. There will be an onus on successful applicants to display the licence in a

visible location.

It is important to note that only businesses that meet the necessary conditions will

be granted a licence, for which they must pay and that all businesses that continue

to have unlicensed items in the public space will be subject to fines/ prosecutions

under the appropriate legislation. Prior to issuing a licence the applicant will have to

satisfy the Council that there are no arrears of water charges or rates outstanding in

respect of the premises or that an arrangement has been entered into with the

Council to discharge any such arrears.

October County Council meeting webcast

2011-10-11T11:13:00.001+01:00

The webcast of the October 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/64958

0.13.50 on behalf of the Labour Group on the issue of education and training for councillors
1.22.29 on renewal of the Woodbrook/Shanganagh LAP
2.41.25 on abuses of human rights in China

1916 Rising Tour with Michael D Higgins

2011-10-11T09:31:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I attended a tour with Michael D Higgins of the historic sites around the GPO associated with 1916 Rising. The tour was conducted by James Connolly Heron and Honour O Brolochain. I was particularly glad to be there as a relative of The O'Rahilly, the only 1916 leader to be killed in action. Picture shows me with Michael D Higgins and Joe Costello TD at the memorial to The O'Rahilly at O'Rahilly Parade, off Moore St. (Photo credit: Rory Geraghty).

Canvassing in the Stillorgan Ward for Michael D Higgins

2011-10-08T19:00:00.001+01:00

Canvassing today in Cabinteely for Michael D Higgins - got a very good reception for an excellent candidate. (With Neal Lamb in pic. Photo credit: Fionnuala Richardson)

Interview on Newstalk re Banking Crisis, Presidential election

2011-09-28T19:14:00.001+01:00

I appeared on the Marc Coleman programme on Tues 27 September to discuss various issues including the banking crisis and the presidential election. You can listen back to this at http://www.newstalk.ie/programmes/all/coleman-at-large/listen-back/

LEYDEN SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR COMMENTS ON SHATTER - HUMPHREYS

2011-09-23T10:42:00.003+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Friday, 23 September 2011

LEYDEN SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR COMMENTS ON SHATTER - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has called on Senator Terry Leyden to apologise for his comments on Minister Alan Shatter in the Seanad.

“As a Labour Party councillor in Minister Shatter’s constituency of Dublin South, I am saddened at this personalised criticism of a hard-working Minister” Humphreys said.

“While Senator Leyden is known for his pugnacious irreverence, on this occasion his remarks have crossed the line towards bigotry. There is no basis whatsoever for his assertion that Minister Shatter has “undue influence” on Government policy on the Palestinian issue. If Minister Shatter has expressed any view on this issue, it would of course be legitimate democratic influence as an elected Deputy in the Dublin South constituency and as a Minister democratically appointed following approval by Dáil Éireann.”

“One thing that Senator Leyden is not is stupid, and he is intelligent enough to appreciate on reflection that to single out Minister Shatter and to accuse him of “undue influence” on the Palestinian question is to run the risk of unintentionally giving succour to those who would denigrate the role of Jewish people in public life or to de-legitimise the State of Israel.” Humphreys said.

“The allegation of behind the scenes manipulation and undue influence is one that would not have been entirely out of place in 1930s Ireland or indeed 1930s Germany. Nor would that sentiment be alien to the anti-Semitic terrorist group Hamas, whose brutal rule of Gaza Senator Leyden seems so eager to legitimise.” Humphreys said.

“As an elected politician in Minister Shatter’s constituency I do not wish to stand idly by while such remarks are made and I call on Senator Leyden to reflect on the unfortunate consequences of these remarks and to apologise.”

“But perhaps Senator Leyden has also accidentally done something of a public service by reminding people of the urgent need to improve our political life by abolishing the Seanad, which I hope will come before the people for approval next year.” Humphreys said.

Ends

100% INCREASE IN ROAD CASUALTIES NEEDS URGENT ACTION - HUMPHREYS

2011-09-19T11:39:00.001+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Monday, 19 September 2011

100% INCREASE IN ROAD CASUALTIES NEEDS URGENT ACTION - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has expressed serious concern about the significant increase in those injured on our roads in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County.

“I acknowledge that while the Council and Gardai have done significant work in attempting to fatalities in the county, there has been an increase from 1 fatality in 2009 to a provisional figure of 5 fatalities on the roads in 2010.” Humphreys said.

“Equally worrying however is the huge increase in injuries on the roads. Injuries are at a 10 year high, having increased from 150 in 2007 to 308 in 2009 – an increase of over 100%.”

“What is particularly worrying is that injuries of some of the most vulnerable categories have increased by even higher percentages. In 2007, 14 pedal cycle users were injured compared to 31 in 2009 – 221% of the figure only 2 years earlier.”

“I am calling on the Council and the Gardai to focus their efforts on accident hot spots and on engineering, enforcement and education measures that will have a significant impact on reducing casualties. Handing out summonses for minor traffic violations by cyclists for example is all well and good but I very much doubt if it is the most effective way to save life and limb on the roads.” Humphreys said.

“The latest full year casualty figures are car users - 181, pedestrians – 50, motor cycle users – 35, pedal cyclists – 31, others – 11.”

“We need to educate road users and enforce the law against reckless car drivers in particular, and to heed the extensive warnings of the Road Safety Authority. I welcome the proposals at national level to reduce the permitted alcohol level for learner drivers to minimal level, and to require learner drivers to be disqualified after 6 penalty points rather than 12 penalty points for qualified drivers. I have been in touch with Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar with a view to encouraging speedy implementation of these measures and indeed further measures to tackle the carnage on our roads.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Visually intrusive vehicles containing advertising

2011-09-14T12:10:00.000+01:00

Visually intrusive vehicles containing advertising

The following reply to my motion on this issue may be of interest

MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

12 SEPTEMBER 2011

BYE-LAWS FOR ADVERTISING

Motion: Councillor R. Humphreys

“That the Manager bring proposals to the Council, whether by bye-laws or otherwise,

for dealing with the problem of advertising vehicles (with or without boards or signs

attached) being parked within the County at key locations which currently constitute

a form of unregulated advertising sign not subject to planning control.”

Report:

Section 71 of the Roads Act, 1993 deals with the issues of unlawful signage on a

public road and the placement of vehicles or structures on a public road for the

purposes of advertising, the sale of goods or similar purposes.

The Act gives a road authority power to remove, store and dispose of signs, vehicles

or other structures.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Transportation Department have recently had vehicles on

the public road removed by their owners following notification to them of the offence

under the Act and the power given to the road authority under the Act in the event

of their refusal to remove the vehicles.

Local Plans being prepared by DLR County Council

2011-09-14T12:06:00.002+01:00

Local Plans being prepared by DLR County Council

The following information may be of interest in reply to a question I submitted to the Manager on 12 September 2011.

MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

12 SEPTEMBER 2011

DRAFT PLANS

Question: Councillor R. Humphreys

"To ask the Manager for a list of the draft local area plans, urban framwework plans,

strategic development zones, architectural conservation areas or similiar plans and

the stage each draft is currently at?"

Local Area Plans

• The Draft Goatstown Local Area Plan went on public display last week

(Wednesday 7th September). The public consultation period concludes 19th

October. The intention is to bring the Manager’s Report on Submissions received

to the January 2012 Council Meeting for the consideration of the Elected

Members.

• Preparatory work on the two Local Area Plans for Dún Laoghaire and Blackrock

has commenced and is reasonably well advanced. Assuming continuing

satisfactory progress over the coming weeks it is anticipated the consultation

process on the Pre-Draft ‘Issues & Options’ Papers for both Local Area Plans could

commence mid-November 2011. Work on the preparation of the Draft Local Area

Plans, and the various associated environmental reports, will proceed through the

first half of 2012. The timing of the publication of the two Draft Local Area Plans

will be heavily influenced by potential requirements in respect of Appropriate

Assessment.

Urban Framework Plans

• Consideration of the Manager’s Report on the Proposed Material Alterations in

respect of the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan (Variation No. 2) is a listed item

on tonight’s Council Meeting agenda.

Strategic Development Zones

• Preparation of the Planning Scheme for the Cherrywood Strategic Development

Zone (SDZ) is currently in train. The Planning Scheme requires it to be prepared

by May 2012. A Briefing Session for Councillors on progress to date in the

preparation of the Planning Scheme has been provisionally organised for 27th

September. Details of that Briefing Session – date, time, venue etc - will issue

shortly to Members.

County Development Plan

• County Development Plan Variations No. 4 – Core Strategy and No. 5 – Building

Heights Strategy were the subject of a four-week public consultation process

earlier this summer. The Manager’s Reports on submissions received in response

to these public consultation processes are included as listed items on tonight’s

Council agenda for consideration by the Elected Members.

• Section 15 (2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) requires

that, not more than 2 years after the making of a development plan, the Manager

of a Planning Authority shall give a report to the Members of the Authority on the

progress achieved in securing the objectives of the Development Plan. The

preparation of that comprehensive 2 year ‘progress’ report on the 2010-2016

County Development Plan will commence towards the end of this calendar year –

with a view to bringing the finalised report to Members for their information early

2012.

Candidate Architectural Conservation Areas

The programme for the assessment of Candidate Architectural Conservation Areas

(ACA’s) is as follows:

• The Silchester Road and Sandycove proposed Architectural Conservation

Areas are going on public display on 26th September 2011.

• Those proposed ACA’s that lie within the Monkstown environs will be put out

on display as a composite proposed ACA in December 2011. The areas

included in the composite ACA are:

Seapoint Avenue

Queen’s Park

Eaton Square

Belgrave Square

The Hill

Montpelier Parade

Brighton Vale

• Consultancy work is nearing completion on Phase 1 (Character Appraisal) for

the next 10 no. ACAs. It is intended that these will be brought to Council for

consideration during the course of 2012.

Group 1:

Arkle Square

Sydenham Road

Sydenham Villas

Campfield Terrace

Group 2:

Cross Avenue

Montpelier Place

Newtown Villas

Group 3:

Adelaide Road

Vico Road/ Sorrento Point

Marlborough Road

All of the above timeframes are dependent on the continuing availability of resources

and adequacy of department budgets.

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES ADOPTION OF SANDYFORD URBAN FRAMEWORK PLAN

2011-09-14T09:52:00.000+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES ADOPTION OF SANDYFORD URBAN FRAMEWORK PLAN

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the final adoption by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council of the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan.

“This plan marks a major step forward in a coherent development of the Sandyford Business District as a better place to work and live, and will bring improvements to the residential amenities of those residents in surrounding areas including in my own ward of Stillorgan.” Humphreys said. “I am delighted that the plan secured cross-party support amongst the ward councillors and the wider Council membership and its adoption is a good example of how councillors and officials can work together in the public interest despite our different perspectives.”

“At the first reading of the plan, I submitted amendments which were passed seeking to limit new building heights within key locations of the Sandyford Business District, to avoid overshadowing and dominating the surrounding residents. I am glad to say that although the Manager proposed to increase these heights, I and the other ward councillors successfully opposed this increase.” Humphreys said.

“I am, however, seriously concerned about the issue of unfinished developments in Sandyford. I successfully inserted a clause in the plan during the first reading which committed the Council to involving itself in the question of unfinished developments, which are a major eyesore for residents. At the final adoption of the plan, this clause was strengthened further as a result of amendments which I and other councillors submitted seeking consultation with relevant stakeholders.”

“The Manager’s position is that completing unfinished developments is primarily a matter for developers, and that the Council needs only to consult residents within unfinished residential developments themselves. I would have liked to see wider consultation with residents in adjoining areas and while I am disappointed that this commitment is not included in the final plan I will continue to press to ensure that residents’ voices are heard.” Humphreys said.

“I also submitted a motion, along with other councillors, seeking a commitment that the Sandyford plan would not become obsolete after its 5-year term but would undergo review as part of the next County Development Plan process. This amendment was also passed and I hope that this will provide the necessary confidence and structure for a successful regeneration of this key area within the County.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Photo caption: Cllr Richard Humphreys at one of the unfinished developments in the Sandyford Business District.

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES MICHAEL D. HIGGINS VISIT TO DUBLIN SOUTH

2011-09-13T21:04:00.000+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES MICHAEL D. HIGGINS VISIT TO DUBLIN SOUTH

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the visit of Labour Party Presidential candidate Michael D Higgins to the Dublin South Constituency.

Together with Labour Councillors Lettie McCarthy and Grace Tallon, Cllr Humphreys welcomed Michael D Higgins to Nutgrove Shopping Centre where Mr Higgins launched a new ecologically friendly computer system, “iameco”, the world’s first desktop computer to secure the EU’s coveted EcoFlower label.

“I wish to salute Michael D Higgins’ tremendous track record as an advocate for the rights of citizens and the concept of citizenship in a democracy and a properly functioning republic” Humphreys said. “Michael D Higgins is an enormously experienced administrator and public servant, who not only created and successfully ran a new Culture Ministry in the 1990s but chaired the EU Council of Culture Ministers and has served and represented Ireland at home and abroad.” Humphreys said.

“Michael D. Higgins is an extraordinary individual with a unique sense of vision and purpose for this country and it has been an enormous privilege for me to have worked closely with him over the past 20 years. I look back with particular pleasure in having worked in the same building as Michael for 5 years when I was a Government adviser and during that time I saw at first hand his indelible contribution to Irish public life, to change and renewal and to celebrating all that is best in our national character and abilities” Humphreys said. “He is a person who has an enormous amount to contribute to Ireland and who is a tremendous asset to the nation.”

Ends

Photo caption: Left to Right – Cllr Lettie McCarthy, Michael D Higgins, Cllr Richard Humphreys and Cllr Grace Tallon at the launch of the “iameco” computer in Nutgrove Shopping Centre.

September 2011 Council Meeting Webcast

2011-09-13T14:04:00.000+01:00

The webcast of the September 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/64128

0.09.19 and subsequent - my amendments on the Core Strategy on the Development Plan

0.15.57 and subsequent - my amendments on the Building Heights Strategy

0.21.57 my amendments to the Civic Memorials Policy on the need for a template form of civic plaque to act as a brand for commemoration of local persons and places of historical importance.

0.35.15 - my amendment seeking consultation with stakeholders on completing unfinished developments in the Sandyford Business District.

0.48.31 opposing increases in building heights in Sandyford.

1.28.09 on the issue of sale of non-strategic state assets.

COUNCIL MUST STAND FIRM ON CONTROLLING DOGS - HUMPHREYS

2011-08-29T09:00:00.004+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Monday, 29 August 2011

COUNCIL MUST STAND FIRM ON CONTROLLING DOGS - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has urged Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to stand firm on ensuring proper controls on dogs in public parks and beaches.

“A highly aggressive campaign has been launched by a loud-mouthed minority of dog owners seeking to dismantle the bye-laws to control dogs in parks and beaches. I am totally opposed to this campaign which poses severe risks to families, children and vulnerable citizens.” Humphreys said.

“In crowded areas such as beaches and parks, unleashed dogs can pose a real threat particularly to children. Responsible dog owners will recognise the need to have dogs on a leash when near children but unfortunately a vocal minority seem to be anxious to put the interests of dogs over those of citizens of the county.”

“In addition, dogs transmit disease, most notably Toxocariasis, which is a serious threat to children especially between the ages of two to four years. However cases have been reported in all age groups. Young children are particularly at risk because they like to play with soil or sand. In fact some children have a habit of eating soil. This makes it all the more important that dogs are kept under firm control and are leashed in public parks and beaches.” Humphreys said.

“Unleashed dogs on beaches can also pose a danger to swimmers when dogs enter the sea and attempt to play by scratching with their paws causing panic to the swimmer. This is particularly the case with children who are just starting to swim but also with inexperienced swimmers or those with disability. There have also been situations where swimmers have been unable to emerge from the water due to dogs barking at the water’s edge preventing them from doing so.”

“The existing Parks and Beach Bye Laws were introduced to ensure that people using the public parks and public beaches could do so in relative comfort and safety. With this in mind, the Bye Laws quite rightly provide controls or prohibit certain activities which may cause nuisance or interfere with the enjoyment or use of public beaches. This includes the important provision that dogs be leashed. Specific fenced-off areas are provided in certain parks to allow dogs off the leash and I have no objection to a modest increase in such areas, provided they are clearly physically separated from areas used by families and children.” Humphreys said.

“The Council is receiving a high number of complaints from beach users claiming nuisance, interference, intimidation and attack on some occasions by dogs which are not under control. It is essential that the Council tackle this problem and stand firm on the need for control and leashing of dogs.” Humphreys said. “There is now a proposal for a specific and limited dogs off-leash area on Killiney beach. I am quite sceptical about whether this can work effectively and I would urge the Council to approach the matter with great caution and with the interests of families first and foremost, ahead of a vocal and highly aggressive lobby led by a small minority of dog owners.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Interview on Near 90FM - Sgt Gilad Shalit and other issues

2011-08-07T16:35:00.000+01:00

This podcast has just come to my attention, an interview I did recently on Near 90FM mainly on the issue of Sgt Gilad Shalit http://nearpodcast.org/podcast/index.php?id=655

HOUSEHOLD CHARGE A “NECESSARY EVIL” – BOYCOTT CAMPAIGN IS IRRESPONSIBLE - HUMPHREYS

2011-08-05T17:11:00.001+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Friday, 5 August 2011

HOUSEHOLD CHARGE A “NECESSARY EVIL” – BOYCOTT CAMPAIGN IS IRRESPONSIBLE - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has defended the entitlement of the Government to introduce the new household charge and has condemned as irresponsible calls to boycott the charge.

“This new charge, of EUR 100 per year in 2012, is unfortunately a condition of the EU/IMF bailout that was necessitated by the disastrous economic mismanagement of the previous FF/Green Government.” Humphreys said. “Like everyone else I would prefer if it was not required but unfortunately it is a necessary evil in the current economic reality”.

“The charge will fund essential local services such as libraries, road cleaning, public lighting and so on that councils such as Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown provide to all citizens. The charge has been carefully framed so as to make owners liable rather than occupiers. Social housing, and houses of the elderly who are living in nursing homes etc are included in the exemptions. Those in receipt of mortgage interest supplement and in certain unfinished estates are also exempt.”

“The campaign to boycott this charge led by the Socialist Party and supported by the Socialist Workers Party/People Before Profit is profoundly irresponsible and undemocratic” Humphreys said.

“It is undemocratic because it is undermining a lawful decision of our sovereign elected government. It is simply not open to a tiny minority of fringe politicians to defy the law in this manner.”

“It is irresponsible because the effect of a boycott campaign will be to reduce the funds available to local government for essential services, thereby hurting vulnerable and hard-pressed communities. In Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, the campaign to urge people to boycott waste charges had the effect of undermining council revenue and services and contributing to the decision to privatise the bin service.”

“Finally, those unfortunates who heed the siren call of the boycott politicians will be hit with a further 10 Euros per month surcharge and may find themselves before the courts or pursued by debt collection agencies, as happened to many people who were unfortunate enough to listen to the calls for boycotting the waste charges. In Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, some of these people ran up significant bills, in some cases running to well over a thousand Euros, and subsequently found themselves pursued for years by way of debt collection.” Humphreys said.

“The boycott campaign is doomed to failure and is part of an agenda of the ultra-left alliance to pretend that there are easy economic solutions. This is a fantasy that should fool no-one.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Appeared on "Snapshot", Dublin South FM

2011-08-05T16:41:00.000+01:00

Appeared on "Snapshot" on Dublin South FM today, presented by Oonagh O'Farrell, with Padraic Marren as the other guest, to discuss the week's papers and current issues.

July Council meeting webcast

2011-07-05T21:55:00.000+01:00

The webcast of the July 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/60740

0.13.34 and 0.21.32 - contributing on the new pedestrian and cycle way on the old Harcourt line.

0.29.51 on education funding

Humphreys elected Deputy Leader of Labour Party Group on DLR County Council

2011-07-02T22:53:00.001+01:00

I was very pleased to have been elected unanimously as the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Group on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council at the Group's meeting today (Saturday 2nd July 2011). Cllr Denis O'Callaghan will be Group Leader for the coming year. I am very grateful to my Labour colleagues for electing me to the role of Deputy Leader and will do my best to assist Denis and the Group generally in advancing the Labour Party Group's important agenda on the Council.

HUMPHREYS LAUNCHES LOCAL BUSINESS IN MOUNT MERRION – WELCOMES GOVT JOBS INITIATIVE

2011-07-02T16:08:00.003+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Saturday, 2 July 2011

HUMPHREYS LAUNCHES LOCAL BUSINESS IN MOUNT MERRION – WELCOMES GOVT JOBS INITIATIVE

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the Government’s measures to address the jobs crisis. He was addressing local residents and guests when launching a new local business based in Mount Merrion, DesCan Home and Garden Maintenance.

“I am delighted to have been asked by Desmond Costeloe, Master Gardener, to launch his new business, DesCan Home and Garden Restoration and Maintenance, based in Mount Merrion and serving the wider area” Humphreys said.

“This new business DesCan is promoting green solutions such as collecting rain water, and growing your own fruit and vegetables. This helps the environment while saving money. It also offers a broad range of home and garden maintenance services.”

“The Government are supporting new businesses through a number of initiatives. The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme encourages people getting certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. People taking part in the scheme can keep a percentage of their social welfare payment for up to 2 years.” Humphreys said.

“In addition, in recent weeks Joan Burton T.D., Minister for Social Protection, launched the National Internship scheme “JobBridge”.”

“JobBridge is aiming to provide 5,000 internship places to the unemployed over the next two years and participants will receive €50 per week in addition to their usual social welfare payments.”

“It is part of the Governments wider 'Jobs Initiative' which will offer 20,900 education, training and work experience places for the unemployed as well as the 'Springboard' initiative which will provide 6,000 places on a range of 200 part-time courses.” Humphreys said.

“The scheme offers the unemployed an opportunity to upskill and retrain and in some cases it may lead to full employment. Public, private and voluntary organisations are welcome to participate and I would strongly encourage them to do so.”

“This along with a range of initiatives brought forward by Labour in Government will help us on our road to recovery” Humphreys said.

Ends

Photo caption: Cllr Humphreys launching DesCan Home and Garden Restoration and Maintenance with proprietor Desmond Costeloe. Cllr Humphreys and Mr Costeloe are enjoying home-made jam made by Mr Costeloe from garden fruits, and viewing a Green Rainwater collector to recycle rain water.

Audio of debate with Paul Murphy MEP on Flotilla

2011-07-02T14:54:00.000+01:00

An audio of the debate between myself and Paul Murphy MEP is at http://audioboo.fm/boos/402228-paul-murphy-mep-debates-cllr-richard-humphreys-about-freedom-flotilla-30-06-11. I welcome the fact that Mr Murphy of the Socialist Party unambiguously stated that he did not support Hamas and he condemned the rocket attacks on Israel. This is a welcome element of balance from the pro-flotilla side of the argument. The point I have been making is that we need to be concerned for the civilian populations of both Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

Irish Times article on the "Freedom Flotilla II"

2011-07-02T14:47:00.000+01:00

The text of my Irish Times article on the Freedom Flotilla II to Gaza is at http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0630/1224299791219.html

ULTRA-LEFT FLOTILLA POLITICIANS SHOULD HEED U.N. AND STAY ASHORE

2011-06-26T14:17:00.001+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Sunday, 26 June 2011

ULTRA-LEFT FLOTILLA POLITICIANS SHOULD HEED U.N. AND STAY ASHORE

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has appealed to the passengers and crew of the MV Saoirse, set to take part in the Gaza flotilla, to heed the warnings of the UN and President Obama, and stay at home.

“Ultra left politicians such as Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Councillor Cllr Hugh Lewis, and Paul Murphy MEP, would be fulfilling their duties better if they stayed at home and attended to their constituents, rather than heading off for this ill-advised Mediterranean cruise.” Humphreys said.

“This is not just my opinion” Humphreys said. “This flotilla is in defiance of the call by the Secretary-General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, that such flotillas should be discouraged, and blocked by member states, as they may only provide a focus for violence. President Obama’s administration, and Hilary Clinton in particular, has made the same appeal to call off this flotilla.”

“I fully support the call by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore that all sides must avoid the completely unjustified violence associated with the last flotilla. In my personal opinion, the responsibility for that violence rests with the Turkish terrorists who attempted to kill and injure members of the Israeli Defence Forces in front of their colleagues. No defence forces anywhere in the world that are worthy of the name would have responded to that murder attempt with anything less than immediate and potentially lethal force.” Humphreys said.

“While I appreciate the humanitarian sentiments motivating some of the flotilla participants, it has been openly admitted by some of the organisers that the aim of the exercise is not to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. Such aid can be readily brought through on land in any event – as the UN Secretary-General and the Obama administration have pointed out. The ultimate object of the flotilla is to break Israel’s Naval Blockade on Gaza. The purpose of naval blockade, according to the Israeli Government, is to prevent the importation of weapons and explosives being used to launch illegal attacks on Israel’s civilian population by jihadist organisations committed to Israel’s destruction. Hundreds of such rocket attacks, using munitions smuggled into Gaza, have been launched this year already. Despite the good intentions of some of its participants, the ultimate beneficiary of the flotilla could therefore, unfortunately, be terrorist organisations.” Humphreys said.

“Gaza’s civilian population must also be protected – not least from their terrorist rulers Hamas who have unleashed a repressive, homophobic and misogynist regime on their unfortunate population. I hope the Unity government will herald an improvement in this regard but this cannot be taken for granted.”

“Instead of Ultra Left Alliance politicians waving goodbye to their constituents for an ill-advised Mediterranean jaunt designed to cause a provocation, we need real political progress towards ending Hamas attacks on Israel, protecting the civilian population of Gaza, easing the blockade by political agreement and ultimately towards a balanced two-state solution based on mutual recognition and respect.” Humphreys said.

Ends

COUNCIL FAILING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT STILLORGAN LEFT BEHIND IN CAPITAL FUNDING - HUMPHREYS

2011-06-23T14:03:00.002+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Thursday, 23 June 2011

COUNCIL FAILING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT STILLORGAN LEFT BEHIND IN CAPITAL FUNDING - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has criticised Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for failing to acknowledge that Stillorgan has been left behind in terms of capital funding for the 4 year period 2011-14.

“The Council’s response to this issue has been very unsatisfactory. I recently submitted a question to the Council seeking a breakdown of proposed capital spending on a ward-by-ward basis. This showed that the Stillorgan Ward was to receive a sum of only EUR 200,000 for the refurbishment of Stillorgan Library, out of a total of EUR 77 Million in the capital budget for this period.”

“It now emerges that the Council only divulged information regarding the breakdown for existing projects, and the Council has failed to provide any ward-by-ward breakdown of the funds to be spent on a further EUR 140 Million of new projects. I have called on the Manager to provide that breakdown and circulate it publicly.”

“However it would appear that within the further EUR 140 M for new projects, only three projects are provided for that are within the Stillorgan Ward – Glenalbyn swimming pool at EUR 1.7 M (which seems set to benefit from external funding), Cabinteely Park tearooms and toilet at EUR 500,000 and Cabinteely Park adventure course at EUR 100,000. This makes a total of only 1.6% of funding from the additional capital spend going to Stillorgan – and only 1.1% of the capital fund overall going to an area with 14% of the County’s population.”

“Even if we include in these figures projects which will benefit adjoining wards also, such as the Green line works and the Sandyford/Stillorgan drainage scheme, the grand total of capital funding benefitting Stillorgan is a mere 3.7% of the Council’s capital budget over 4 years – less than 1% per year. I believe that the Stillorgan ward has been disproportionately deprived of funding and I regret that the Council is declining to review the allocation to it.” Humphreys said.

Ends

STILLORGAN WARD SHORT-CHANGED ON CAPITAL FUNDING - HUMPHREYS

2011-06-18T18:56:00.002+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Saturday, 18 June 2011-

STILLORGAN WARD SHORT-CHANGED ON CAPITAL FUNDING - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has criticised the allocation of a minimal amount of capital funding – just 0.2% - to the Stillorgan Ward, as compared to 99.8% given to other areas within Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council or to the council area as a whole.

“In response to a question I submitted at the June meeting of the County Council this week, the County Manager furnished a breakdown of the Council’s capital budget by ward area.” Humphreys said.

“The Council is planning to spend a total of EUR 77 Million in the capital budget. Out of this sum, the total earmarked specifically for the Stillorgan ward is only EUR 200,000, to be spent on Stillorgan Library.” Humphreys said.

“Despite representing about 14% of the population of the County, the Stillorgan Ward is receiving only 0.2% of the funding, with 99.8% of the funding either going elsewhere or benefitting projects for the County as a whole.” Humphreys said.

“I have written to the County Manager suggesting that this is totally imbalanced and I have asked him to review the funding allocation to ensure that the Stillorgan Ward receives funding commensurate with its population and importance in the context of the County as a whole.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Meeting with Tanaiste on the case of Sgt Gilad Shalit

2011-06-18T10:12:00.003+01:00

The Irish Times today reports the meeting I attended yesterday with the Tanaiste concerning the plight of Sgt Gilad Shalit, an issue I have raised on the Council and with the Department: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0618/1224299152466.html

Opening of Kevin Barry Window in UCD

2011-06-03T12:04:00.000+01:00

Attended UCD again this morning (3 June 2011) for the launch by Ruairi Quinn TD Minister for Education and Skills of the re-located Harry Clarke Studio's stained glass window commemorating Kevin Barry.

The window was originally launched on the 24th anniversary of Kevin Barry's execution, 1 November 1934 by Richard "Mac" O'Rahilly, my 1st cousin twice removed. Mac O'Rahilly married Kevin Barry's sister the following year - she had been on hunger strike with my grandfather's sister.

The picture shows Michael O'Rahilly, son of Mac O'Rahilly and grandson of the 1916 Leader The O'Rahilly, with Minister Quinn and myself. Photo credit: Deirdre Grant.

Launch at UCD Centre for Cybersecurity

2011-05-31T11:00:00.000+01:00

With Minister for Justice and Equality and for Defence, Alan Shatter TD, at the launch of a major project on Cybersecurity in UCD's Computer Science Department this morning. Photo Credit: Deputy Eoghan Murphy

May 2011 Council meeting webcast

2011-05-10T18:41:00.000+01:00

The webcast of the April 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/57659

0.9.55 - contributing on the disqualification of Cllr Halpin.

2.13.14 - my motion re Red Cross access to prisoners in the Israel/Palestinian Territories - which was passed in an amended form.

3.06.49 - in support of the striking Connolly Shoes workers

3.16.36 - my motion with Cllr Richmond for a graffiti art wall. It was agreed to refer this to the Environment SPC.

4.03.47 - speaking against amending bye-laws to allow Dogs on beaches during the day and off the leash. The motion was not passed.

4.20.01 and 4.24.46 - my motion for more Welcome signs to the County. The Manager agreed to erect such signs.

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES BOYD-BARRETT CONDEMNATION OF AL-QAEDA, CALLS FOR END TO SUPPORT FOR OTHER TERROR GROUPS

2011-05-08T16:34:00.002+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Sunday, 8 May 2011

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES BOYD-BARRETT CONDEMNATION OF AL-QAEDA, CALLS FOR END TO SUPPORT FOR OTHER TERROR GROUPS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed Deputy Richard Boyd-Barrett’s condemnation this week of the Al-Qaeda terror organisation. He was responding to the news that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula had published a newsletter, “Inspire”, which quoted approvingly from Richard Boyd-Barrett T.D.

“An unequivocal condemnation of a terrorist organisation is something which I never heard during Deputy Boyd-Barrett’s two years on the Council, so this news is very welcome.” Humphreys said. “However it is now incumbent on Deputy Boyd-Barrett to end the support for or association with other terrorist groups that has been engaged in by him or his political party” Humphreys said.

“Deputy Boyd-Barrett’s Party, the Socialist Workers Party, has openly stated in its newspaper, the “Socialist Worker”, in August 2006 that it supports Hamas and Hezbollah.” Humphreys said. “Hamas is named by the EU as a terrorist organisation. Its charter is openly anti-Semitic and it has engaged in Holocaust denial. Likewise Hezbollah has been categorised by many governments internationally as terrorist and is committed to the destruction of the State of Israel.”

“Boyd-Barrett himself spoke at an Al-Aqsa Conference in April 2009 at which Hamas paramilitary material was openly on display, and he shared a platform with speakers who openly voiced support for the jihad, the Taliban and the Iraqi and Afghan insurgents.”

“Many of these Iraqi and Afghan “insurgents” belong to the very organisation, Al-Qaeda, that Boyd-Barrett now says he deplores.”

“In 2005 Boyd-Barrett jetted off to a Conference in Cairo attended by extremist organisations. The conference was addressed by an individual who is linked to Muqtada Al-Sadr’s death squads that have murdered hundreds of people including women and children, tortured and executed gay people and imposed brutal sharia law on the areas they control.”

“It is high time for Deputy Boyd-Barrett to condemn terrorist organisations altogether. If he cannot do that he should come clean and give the people of Dun Laoghaire a list of the terrorist organisations which he does support.” Humphreys said.

Ends

HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF “DYSFUNCTIONAL” PAVILION THEATRE

2011-04-17T17:48:00.002+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Sunday, 17 April 2011

HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF “DYSFUNCTIONAL” PAVILION THEATRE

Speaking at the April 2011 Council meeting, Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has called for a comprehensive review of the governance of the Pavilion Theatre, which is owned and significantly funded by the County Council.

“The Pavilion Theatre company is operating in a very unsatisfactory fashion and I believe that it is a dysfunctional body” Humphreys told the Council, referring in particular to recent serious industrial relations issues in the Company.

“The board has the atmosphere of a very cosy, sclerotic members club and old-timers on the board seem to have no problem in dismissing new ideas by saying in effect, that’s not how things are done around here.”

“The board needs fresh blood” Humphreys stated. At the suggestion of Cllr Tom Joyce, Humphreys has now written to the Council setting out proposals for change of the governance of the Pavilion.

Cllr Humphreys’ proposals are as follows:

1. A comprehensive review of the corporate governance of this company to be carried out by a consultant appointed by the Council

2. Term limits for all members of the board – no-one should serve for more than 5 years.

3. Any members who have served over 5 years should vacate office immediately.

4. Review the reporting by the Director, the level of planning and information flows to the board in line with the Arts Council guidelines on the governance of arts administration bodies.

5. Provide for an elected staff representative on the board forthwith in order to do something to improve the battered staff morale in the company.

Humphreys was addressing the Council after stepping down from the Pavilion Theatre Company following 2 years membership of the Company’s Board.

Ends

HUMPHREYS AMENDMENTS STRENGTHENING SANDYFORD PLAN ARE PASSED

2011-04-13T19:28:00.001+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

HUMPHREYS AMENDMENTS STRENGTHENING SANDYFORD PLAN ARE PASSED

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the passing of amendments he proposed to strengthen the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan and to protect the residents of the Sandyford region from excessive high-rise development.

“I was very glad that the Council agreed a motion I proposed to eliminate the possibility of additional height levels being added to plots along Blackthorn Avenue. A similar motion in the names of the other three Stillorgan Ward councillors was also passed and it is no surprise that the ward councillors are united on the issue of preventing excessive height levels which might overshadow local residents.” Humphreys said.

“The council also agreed my proposal that permitted maximum height levels shall have particular regard to the need to minimise adverse impact on adjacent residential properties.”

“In addition, my motion for a pedestrian crossing at Brewery Rd to connect to Sandyford Luas stop was also included in the Plan.”

“I also proposed that it be an objective of the Council to ensure that unfinished developments within the Sandyford Business District be appropriately resolved. I am glad that this is now incorporated into the Plan. Residents have suffered long enough from having to look at unfinished developments day in and day out, and this now needs to be addressed.” Humphreys said.

“A number of other motions I proposed were also agreed, including making clear that the plan is to have a 5 year lifespan, for the erection of wayfinding maps and signs in the district and to refer to additional playground space, and to make the plan clearer by explaining all technical abbreviations.” Humphreys said.

Ends

April 2011 Council webcast

2011-04-13T18:16:00.000+01:00

The webcast of the April 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://connect.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_v7.php?a=56936&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#indx

To view my input follow these instructions: Along the blue strip on top of the picture you will see three tabs, which stand for Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on the third one (speakers - marked by a picture of a head and shoulders), then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

0.03.44 contributing on the Pavilion Theatre

0.18.21 and subsequent contributions onwards contributing on the debate on the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan.

2010 Council expenses

2011-04-13T18:06:00.000+01:00

I have published my 2010 Council expenses and allowances on my website, http://richardhumphreys.ie/ for public information.

Special Meeting of DLR County Council to confer civic honour on Brian O'Driscoll

2011-04-03T19:40:00.000+01:00

Picture of the special meeting of the County Council to confer a civic honour on Brian O'Driscoll.

What I believe in politics

2011-03-28T14:38:00.000+01:00

There is an interesting collection of Hermann Hesse essays, published in 1976, under the title of “My belief”. In the sprit of Hesse I want to set out a few key themes relating to what I believe in politics.

My own major political themes to date can be summarised under five headings – not necessarily in order of importance:

· Affirming the value of politics and law

· Making institutions work more democratically

· Efficient government

· Affirming the value of the individual

· Caring for all creation

1. Affirming the value of politics and law

Abuses of political office for improper personal gain need to be firmly combated. But politics itself remains an honourable profession. Politicians are neither wholly angels nor wholly devils – they are citizens who have been assigned the task of working in the field of public administration. This is necessary, important and honourable profession and I totally reject the “anti-politician” agenda which sees every expense as a waste and every conference as a junket, for example.

On DLR County Council I have worked to ensure a review of councillors’ expenses so that the right balance is struck in terms of facilitating legitimate conferences and avoiding waste.

Ill-informed blanket criticism of politicians is second only to ill-informed blanket criticism of lawyers. This is a stance I also reject utterly. The justice system needs reform – there is no question about that. But the system is only partly the creation of lawyers. Law however is essential to civilisation - we need to affirm the value of a society that operates in accordance with legal constraints. We need a society firmly based on the rule of law. We need an international community that also operates on the basis of the rule of law.

2. Making institutions work more democratically

I believe that as far as possible, institutions whether public or private ought to operate in a transparent and inclusive manner.

As far as possible, and subject to necessary exceptions in the public interest, they should make information about their activities freely available. It was a privilege for me in the 1990s to have been an adviser in the Government that introduced the Freedom of Information Act, an Act that has proved its value ever since.

On DLR County Council I have argued for the publication of much non-confidential information that has remained obscure. For example I campaigned for publication of lists of residents associations in the County. I have intervened on numerous occasions to have the Council put more information on its website so that the public can have greater access.

Institutions need to be inclusive and democratic. They should not operate on the basis of cliques and golden circles – another reason for the importance of the rule of law.

On DLR County Council I have frequently argued for greater consultation – on the road safety plan for example and on changes to the development levies schemes. In both cases, consultation was opposed by the Manager and FG/FF.

Institutions also need to be accountable. It is one of the tragedies of local government that over 90% of decisions are made by an unelected official, the City or County Manager, who is not accountable to anyone except in very limited circumstances. We need to reform this system and to cherish and promote the few mechanisms that allow Managers, or quangos, to be held accountable – such as the Ombudsman’s Office which has done fantastic work under Emily O’Reilly.

Had the State been pervaded by a spirit of democratic equality, I believe that the scandalous rip-off of the bank bailout would never have got off the ground.

3. Efficient government

I believe that the public sector should operate as efficiently as the private sector if not more so given the level of public accountability that should obtain.

That belief has driven my own interest in statute law revision – the process whereby old laws are comprehensively reviewed and either retained or repealed as appropriate – and I am delighted that this project has been reaffirmed in the Programme for Government 2011-2016.

On DLR County Council I have been deeply engaged with the process of making the council work more efficiently and I proposed a review to streamline council standing orders in order to make meetings run more efficiently, which led to major changes to procedures adopted in 2011.

I have also argued for efficient carrying out of council functions such as commercial water charge collection given the unacceptably high rate of non-collection and the burden this places on companies that do pay up.

4. Affirming the value of the individual

Society needs to acknowledge the fundamental dignity and rights of the individual, whose opportunities should be determined, and whose ideas should be judged, on merit not on background, wealth or group membership.

It will recognise the rights of the individual, including the right to meaningful employment and access to health services.

A focus on the rights of the individual also helps to combat a narrow and old-fashioned nationalism. On our own divided island, I have advocated fully recognising both the Irish and British identity – welcoming The Queen of England to our State for example and giving British citizens the right to vote in referenda.

With a merits-based approach to life opportunities we must reject unjustified and wrongful discrimination. I have strongly opposed the existing Guardianship Act which denies equal rights to unmarried fathers – in my view the single most outrageous piece of discrimination on our statute book. Any other form of unjustified discrimination should also be opposed – for example the ridiculous reference in the Constitution to women’s role in the home.

A caring society will reach out to those most vulnerable, whether at home or abroad – in global terms our commitments to the least developed countries remain important. It must oppose discrimination, deliberate marginalisation and bullying.

A human-centred society must operate on the principle of tolerance – it must accommodate differing approaches where possible and avoid imposing compulsorily what is best promoted voluntarily. By way of example, I opposed the absurd legislation – since reformed as a result of a Labour Party initiative – which required lawyers to pass an exam in Irish before they could qualify.

Such a society must treat people with a certain measure of respect even where they have come into conflict with authority or law. A mature society needs maverick voices, and the ragamuffin irreverence of the young.

An individual-centred society is a creative society that cherishes the arts and artists, that celebrates its history and heritage, that promotes literacy, education, libraries, publishing, academic endeavour. It recognises the past, celebrating genealogy, heraldry, culture, architecture and the built environment. It promotes planning that is based on the long term needs of the area rather than short term profit.

On DLR County Council I have been campaigning for the restoration of the landmark Gateway sculpture in Dun Laoghaire, against what I regard as a provincial view that objects to it aesthetically. I have also secured the adoption of a new protocol to expand the register of protected structures.

Along with other Labour councillors I have strongly supported sustainable development rather than the developer-led agenda of overdevelopment promoted in the main by FG and FF.

A free society promotes choice and individual economic freedom and the social democratic market.

An inclusive society is a secular society which observes a certain separation of church and state, and which does not sacrifice the individual on the altar of ideology. I strongly opposed the recent blasphemy law, and the inclusion of blasphemy in the Constitution.

With human rights come responsibilities of course, and I believe that the charter of rights in Articles 40-45 of the Constitution also needs to be balanced by a charter of responsibilities – society depends on citizens recognising the rights of others.

The responsibility on every member of the community to respect the rights of others, particularly the vulnerable, requires us to combat anti-social behaviour and requires rebalancing criminal law further against the criminal, a subject I worked on strenuously as a member of the Balance in Criminal Law Review Group. I was delighted that our report was implemented by the Criminal Procedure Act 2010, now in force. The same principle requires democratic states to combat terrorism and to promote democratic reform abroad by lawful, appropriate and effective means.

5. Caring for all creation

We need to be concerned for all living things, and for the wider environment. It is not inaccurate to speak of the rights of animals to be treated humanely for example. We need to engage with nature in a rational and scientific way, through zoos and museums but also through the work of science generally.

On DLR County Council I have encouraged the work of the biodiversity officer and called for development of this role. I have called publicly for the full re-opening of the Natural History Museum.

A personal manifesto like this must of necessity leave much out – that is not because other areas are less important, it is because no-one can focus equally on all areas, and the above are some of my major themes to date. A full list of Labour policies is available on www.labour.ie

Donncha O'Connell for Seanad NUI constituency

2011-03-24T20:57:00.001Z

There are 27 candidates running for the NUI Seanad seats and a number of these are excellent individuals, who I would strongly recommend. James Doorley has been a long standing Labour Party activist and advocate for consumers and young people; and Prof John Crown has been a prophetic voice for health care reform.

It is hard to pick one candidate to give a No 1 vote to in those circumstances but I have today cast my own No 1 vote for Donncha O’Connell and I would urge others to do the same.

I would suggest that there are three excellent reasons to support Donncha in this election.

First of all he has the intellectual firepower to contribute very significantly as a legislating senator.

Secondly he has a proven track record of leadership, having been Dean of the NUIG Law School and being a highly regarded, dynamic, accessible and committed lecturer and having contributed conspicuously in all aspects of academic life.

And thirdly he embodies a certain spirit of reasonableness that is often all to absent in debates on social issues. Donncha is someone who can engage constructively with those of us who adopt a more cautious approach on some of the civil libertarian issues, as opposed to those on the civil libertarian left who only operate in “megaphone diplomacy” mode. We need more voices of balance and reason in our public life.

On that basis I do hope to see Donncha in the next Seanad. Hopefully he will also be joined by James Doorley and John Crown who also have a great deal to contribute.

HUMPHREYS CONDEMNS REFUSAL OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON DEVELOPMENT LEVIES

2011-03-16T23:16:00.001Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Wednesday, 16 March 2011

HUMPHREYS CONDEMNS REFUSAL OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON DEVELOPMENT LEVIES

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has criticised the decision by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail councillors to ram through significant changes to the development levies schemes without going through the statutory consultation process.

“At the Council meeting on Monday 14 March, the County Manager brought forward a proposal to exempt temporary car parks associated with the Luas line from all development levies. I have considerable sympathy for any measure that would encourage park and ride facilities for the Luas line. But any major change to the development levy schemes is required to undergo proper consultation.” Humphreys said.

“The FG/FF councillors on the Council voted to reduce the Council’s development levy by 75%. But in the absence of a consultation process it is hard to accept this result as appropriate. It may be that a consultation process would have shown a demand for a 100% waiver of levies, which would have been a significantly greater encouragement for the building of park and ride facilities than the measure passed by a majority of councillors.”

“All three development levy schemes that have been passed by Councillors set out clearly what developments have to pay levies and what developments are exempt. Any proposal to change this is clearly an amendment to the schemes and it is a pretence to suggest otherwise. Such amendments require public consultation, and the decision of the FG and FF councillors to ram through this change without any such consultation is, in my view, legally questionable” Humphreys said.

Ends

March Webcast - Exemptions to Development Levies Schemes

2011-03-16T17:05:00.000Z

The webcast of the March 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=55226&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

To view my input follow these instructions: To the right hand side of the picture, you will see three tabs, Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on Index points, then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

01.23.14 and 02.03.16 calling for public consultation on the Manager's proposal to exempt certain car parks from the development levies schemes. The Manager's proposal was welcome in principle but I considered that it was legally questionable to adopt it without consultation. Unfortunately a majority of the members decided to proceed without consultation.

02.44.03 contributing briefly on the debate on the Dublin Mountain Partnership.

At time of writing the index points and names of speakers are out of alignment so you will need to click on the times above rather than speakers' names.

Agreement reached on Programme for Government

2011-03-06T07:49:00.000Z

I am very pleased that Fine Gael and Labour have reached agreement on a Programme for Government and I was privileged to have been part of the Labour Party's team at the negotiations on the Programme. Picture shows both parties' full teams at 1.30 am on Sunday 6 March 2011 following final agreement on the text. The Labour team was as follows: Negotiators: Brendan Howlin TD (Head of delegation), Joan Burton TD, Pat Rabbitte TD, Dr Colm O'Reardon. Backup team: Jean O'Mahony, Finbarr O'Malley and myself.

HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR FULL RE-OPENING OF NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

2011-02-16T12:25:00.001Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Wednesday, 16 February 2011

HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR FULL RE-OPENING OF NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has criticised the prolonged closure of two out of floor floors of the Natural History Museum and has called for the Museum to be fully opened as a matter of urgency.

“The Natural History Museum is of major importance to the wider Dublin Area and to the nation as a whole. It is unacceptable that two out of the four floors of the museum have been closed for coming up to 4 years with no end in sight. By the time they re-open, a whole generation of children may have grown up without access to this national resource.” Humphreys said.

“The major reason for the hold-up seems to be that the Government has been considering the re-opening mainly in the context of a major and expensive overhaul of the Museum. I am proposing that the Government put any grand plans on hold and that they should re-open the upper galleries on a “minimum cost” basis. This involves expenditure on just two items – a fire escape and safety barriers. Those are minor expenditures which could be put in place quickly if the Government so decided. This would allow the public to have access to these important collections again.” Humphreys said.

“This week at the meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, I proposed a motion that the Council would write to the Ministers for Tourism, Culture and Sport and for Finance calling for the minimum cost model to be adopted and for the galleries to be re-opened. I am glad to say that the motion was passed and I hope that the Government will act urgently in the matter. I am pleased that representatives from all parties have supported this important cause.” Humphreys said.

Ends

DLR County Council February 2011 Meeting Webcast

2011-02-16T10:37:00.001Z

The webcast of the February 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=53629&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

01.22.45 and 01.30.32 calling for a second legal opinion on the issues arising from the Carrickmines case. Unfortunately a motion proposed by Cllr Culhane and I calling for this was defeated.

02.47.16 moving a motion proposing that the Council write to relevant Ministers seeking the re-opening of the galleries in the Natural History Museum. This motion was passed.

At time of writing the index points and names of speakers are out of alignment so you will need to click on the times above rather than speakers' names.

HUMPHREYS PROPOSALS TO STREAMLINE COUNCIL BUSINESS AGREED

2011-02-15T06:52:00.001Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

HUMPHREYS PROPOSALS TO STREAMLINE COUNCIL BUSINESS AGREED

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the approval by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council of a motion which he proposed to streamline Council business and overhaul Council standing orders. The changes came into effect at the 14 February meeting of the Council, on foot of a recommendation from a sub-committee on procedures which was chaired by Cllr Humphreys.

“This motion is the outcome of a lengthy review of Council procedures which I initiated last year” Humphreys said. “The changes will mean that we will complete our business in a faster and more efficient manner, and will ensure that Council meetings are more business-like and productive. I welcome the approval of the members for the new procedures and I thank my colleagues who have had an input into this process.”

“The new changes will restructure the Council agenda so that items requiring a decision are listed first, and items for noting are grouped towards the end of the agenda, before members’ motions. This will give priority to the more important business of the Council” Humphreys said.

“The motion also provides that procedural motions such as suspension of standing orders will now be taken without debate. This will mean that the regular business of the Council will not be unduly delayed by procedural motions and should ensure that more time will be devoted to discussing substantial issues.”

“The Council has also agreed to a time limit for motions of 20 minutes, after which a member can move that the question be put. This new, shorter limit should help the Council to get through the agenda rather than getting bogged down on a small number of individual motions.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Canvassing for Culhane and White

2011-02-12T16:58:00.000Z

Picture shows this morning's canvass team in Kilmacud, getting a good reception for Senator Alex White and Cllr Aidan Culhane on the doorsteps.

For anyone who wants to watch Council webcasts with Google Chrome ...

2011-01-17T13:04:00.000Z

The Council has informed me that the webcasts will play in Google Chrome but you need to download the Windows Media Player plug in. This can be done at http://port25.technet.com/pages/windows-media-player-firefox-plugin-download.aspx - you will also need to restart Google Chrome.

January 2011 Meeting - Webcast

2011-01-11T21:43:00.000Z

The webcast of the January 2011 meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=50948&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

01.16.09 for a brief contribution on standing orders.

02.07.45 for my contribution on the question of Councillors' conferences. My amendment to this motion, affirming the role for appropriate and relevant conferences and asking for a review of the system, was passed by 21 votes to 3.

At the moment this webcast is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

HUMPHREYS PROPOSAL ON COUNCILLORS CONFERENCE EXPENSES AGREED

2011-01-11T21:33:00.001Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Tuesday, 11 January 2011

HUMPHREYS PROPOSAL ON COUNCILLORS CONFERENCE EXPENSES AGREED

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the passing by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council yesterday (10 January 2011) of an amendment which he proposed on Councillors’ conference expenses.

The amendment reaffirmed the importance of education and training for councillors, including appropriate and relevant conferences, and asked the Council’s Organisation, Procedure and Protocol Committee to review the issue.

“I anticipate that the review will focus on the need for a formal system for councillors to report back to the Council after any conference on the benefits and outcome, and I would welcome the institution of such a formal reporting system.” Humphreys said.

“It is important however not to make the mistake of giving succour to a populist, anti-politician agenda. We need to reaffirm the role of local elected representatives, and education and training has a part to play in that also. Appropriate and relevant conferences are perfectly legitimate, and while I am of course opposed to conferences that are inappropriate or irrelevant, I am equally opposed to the utterly cynical view that all conferences are junkets and are a waste of time.” Humphreys said.

The amendment was passed by 21 votes to 3.

“As it happens I did not claim any conference expenses in 2010 but I am not making a virtue of this – I was simply too busy representing my constituents in Stillorgan in other ways. However I have no objection to conferences if they are appropriate and legitimate” Humphreys said.

Ends

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES ADOPTION OF DLR BUDGET IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

2011-01-10T12:12:00.001Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Monday, 10 January 2011

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES ADOPTION OF DLR BUDGET IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the adoption by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council of the 2011 budget in very adverse economic circumstances.

“I welcome the fact that commercial rates are being reduced by 2% for the second year running, under the Fine Gael/Labour programme for local government in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.” Humphreys said.

“This will be a relief for hard-pressed businesses and illustrates the commitment of the Labour Party and FG to supporting the entrepreneurial private sector in order to sustain employment in these extraordinarily difficult times.”

“Labour and Fine Gael have succeeded in protecting most front line services despite extraordinary budgetary pressures brought about by disastrous mismanagement of the economy by Fianna Fail and the Greens, and despite an attack on the Council’s revenue stream by the Socialist Workers Party, who wrongly encouraged people not to pay charges that were lawfully due.”

“Labour and FG also intervened on the day of the budget to reduce the cut in library purchases, in order to signal our commitment to the vital work of the public library service.”

“It is disappointing that the Socialist Workers Party/People Before Profit misunderstood the budget completely and spread the misinformation that councillors’ allowances were being increased. This is totally incorrect. In fact councillors, like all public servants, have taken a significant statutory reduction in their allowances since the economic crisis broke, and there is no increase this year.” Humphreys said.

Ends

BOYD-BARRETT HAS QUESTIONS TO ANSWER OVER EXTREMIST CAIRO CONFERENCE - HUMPHREYS

2011-01-06T21:22:00.002Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Thursday, 6 January 2011

BOYD-BARRETT HAS QUESTIONS TO ANSWER OVER EXTREMIST CAIRO CONFERENCE - HUMPHREYS

Speaking at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council budget meeting yesterday (Wednesday 5 January) Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, strongly criticised Cllr Richard Boyd-Barrett (Socialist Workers Party) over his 2005 trip to a Conference in Cairo attended by extremist organisations.

“According to an article written by Cllr Boyd-Barrett on the Irish Anti-War movement website, this conference was addressed by an individual, who is linked to Muqtada Al-Sadr’s death squads that have murdered hundreds of people including women and children, tortured and executed gay people and imposed brutal sharia law on the areas they control.” Humphreys told the meeting.

“Also a member of the politburo of the terrorist organisation Hamas spoke at the meeting.”

“There is only so much hypocrisy that the Council can be expected to take. Cllr Boyd-Barrett is a politician pretending not to be a politician. He is questioning conference attendance by others while he himself has serious questions to answer about having jetted off to this Conference in Cairo.“ Humphreys said.

“He is not man enough to come to the Council and say that he is a member of the Socialist Workers Party and proud of it – he hides behind front organisations. And finally he is pretending to be anti-war when he is frequenting a conference that is attended by representatives of death squads. Cllr Boyd-Barrett is a fraud and it is high time that the people of Dun Laoghaire realised that.” Humphreys told the meeting.

Responding to Cllr Boyd-Barrett’s defence that he paid for the conference himself, Cllr Humphreys called for full details of the travel and accommodation costs to be published as well as the sources of the income used to fund those costs.

“Cllr Boyd-Barrett criticises others for attending perfectly legitimate conferences while he himself is happy to jet off to the sun to a conference that included terrorists and their fellow travellers.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Budget Meeting Webcast - Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

2011-01-06T20:35:00.000Z

The webcast of the budget meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=50827&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

02.53.38 and 02.57.55 for my contribution on the question of Councillors' conferences. Cllr Boyd-Barrett (Socialist Workers Party) had objected to spending on councillors' conferences so I took the opportunity to raise questions about his own trip to Cairo in March 2005 to a conference addressed by individuals linked to Muqtada Al-Sadr's death squads and the Hamas terrorist organisation.

At the moment this webcast is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

Interview on Dublin South FM

2011-01-04T15:53:00.000Z

I did the Morning View programme on Dublin South FM recently - picture shows me after the show with Bryan Fox, presenter and Oonagh O'Farrell, journalist and panelist.

Webcast of December Council Meeting

2010-12-14T16:39:00.001Z

The webcast of the December meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line -

http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=47733&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

02.13.17 and 02.24.34 for my motion calling for the UK Head of State to be welcomed in the County in the event of a visit to Ireland. Unfortunately this was narrowly defeated. However I believe that the debate in itself will advance attitudes on this issue and hopefully lead to a more developed and nuanced acceptance of the legitimacy of such a visit.

At the moment this webcast is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

Alex White overwhelmingly selected as Labour candidate for Dublin South

2010-12-11T18:20:00.000Z

At the Dublin South selection convention today, I was pleased and privileged to have been asked by Senator Alex White to propose his nomination as the Labour Party candidate for Dublin South. In my nomination speech I asked members to endorse Alex as the Party's standard bearer for the Constituency, who had performed exceptionally well in the previous bye-election. I was delighted that Alex was overwhelmingly endorsed by members, winning on the first count. Commiserations to the other candidates who ran a dignified campaign. Picture shows me with Alex after the Convention, together with Dr Mary Upton TD, Chairperson of the Convention. (Photo credit: Brian McDowell)

HUMPHREYS TO SUPPORT ALEX WHITE AT DÁIL SELECTION CONVENTION

2010-11-30T12:10:00.001Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Tuesday, 30 November 2010

HUMPHREYS TO SUPPORT ALEX WHITE AT DÁIL SELECTION CONVENTION

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has announced that he will support the nomination of Senator Alex White as the Labour Party’s candidate to be selected at the forthcoming Dáil selection convention on Friday 3rd December 2010.

“As a Labour Party Councillor in the Constituency, I was delighted to have been shortlisted in the process for Dáil Candidate for Dublin South.” Humphreys said. “However, because the convention is only selecting one candidate, after having given the matter very careful consideration, I have decided not to put my name before the Convention this time. On this occasion, I have decided to support Senator Alex White.”

“The main reason why I think there is an overwhelming case for giving Alex White a number 1 vote is because he has already been selected as the bye-election candidate for the Constituency and has been working in that role ever since. It seems to me to be manifestly in the best interest of the Labour Party that if there is one candidate to be selected, it should, and must, be the candidate to whom we have already entrusted the job of representing the constituency in Dáil Éireann.” Humphreys said.

“In the circumstances it will send a strong message of Party unity and purpose to both the public and the media if we resoundingly endorse Alex White as the candidate on this occasion.”

“Alex has been performing effectively in his role as a bye-election candidate and secured a very strong vote in the June 2009 bye-election, gaining an extraordinary 65% of the transfers from George Lee. In my opinion, even on the basis of this performance alone, he deserves our continued confidence as the Party’s principal standard-bearer in the Constituency.” Humphreys said.

“Alex White is a politician with a tremendous amount to offer on a national level and in my personal experience has conspicuous and proven skills in dealing with national legislation and national policy of a kind that we need from a Dáil candidate, especially given the enormous pressures that our legislators will face over the next 5 years.”

“As Leader of the Labour Group in Seanad Éireann Alex has been dealing with important national issues for the past number of years and is well positioned to bring that experience to bear in the Dáil for the benefit of the Party’s agenda.” Humphreys said.

“On that basis I am asking the Party membership to give their clear backing to Alex White as our candidate next Friday.” Humphreys said.

Ends

“UNITED LEFT ALLIANCE” WOULD WRECK ECONOMY - HUMPHREYS

2010-11-26T07:00:00.000Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Friday, 26 November 2010

“UNITED LEFT ALLIANCE” WOULD WRECK ECONOMY - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has said that the prospect of the hardline “United Left Alliance” holding the balance of power after the next election “should strike terror into the hearts of every rational voter”.

“This collection of radicals, hardliners and Trotskyites are posing as a reasonable alternative when they are nothing of the kind. They are political snake-oil salesmen, peddling an unworkable voodoo economics that would wreck Ireland’s economy for decades. In my view this grouping is an attempt to piggyback on the popularity of the Labour Party and to sell an extremist message in the process.” Humphreys said.

“I would strenuously urge voters not to gamble with their pensions, their future or their children’s future by letting this grouping anywhere near Leinster House. Most of their leadership appear to be candidates who were rejected by the People in the last general election and I fervently hope that the People will do the same this time.” Humphreys said.

According to their website, this grouping’s economic policy is as follows: “We reject the so-called solutions to the economic crises based on slashing public expenditure, welfare payments and workers’ pay. There can be no just or sustainable solution to the crisis based on the capitalist market.”

“Any political grouping that rejects the market – the only economic system which works – deserves to be dismissed out of hand as economic illiterates. Obviously the market needs to be regulated, but this group of has-beens would try to turn the clock back to before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and institute a Utopian command economy which would destroy individual liberty and entrepreneurship.”

“If this grouping got the balance of power with a mandate to oppose any cuts whatsoever in expenditure, including the welfare and public sector wage bill, they would drive the country to bankruptcy and destroy whatever hope there is of recovery from the recession. I see nothing remotely “left-wing” in destroying any hope of jobs or recovery – the inevitable result if this hardline grouping gets anywhere near the levers of power.”

“The other policies of this group would be equally disastrous to the country. Their policy that Ireland should “Give asylum seekers the right to work“, seemingly automatically, would allow asylum seekers including those with completely bogus claims to overwhelm the Irish jobs market, severely prejudicing Irish citizens as well as non-nationals who are legally present in the state. It amounts to an “open borders” policy of a kind which would savagely drive down employment, wage levels and labour standards and would lead to a massive increase in illegal immigration.”

"It would be one thing to suggest that asylum claims should be processed rapidly, and those still in the system after say 6 or 12 months could be eligible to be considered for limited and conditional work permits in specific circumstances. But as usual, the hardline left rejects any such nuanced possibilities and puts forward an extremist policy which would lead to economic chaos."

“I urge voters to take a long cold look at the extremist policies of the “United Left Alliance” and to reject them as utterly toxic to Ireland’s economy and society, as well as presenting simplistic solutions which are entirely misleading.”

“The Labour Party has worked hard to present an honest and workable alternative to Fianna Fail’s policies and we will continue to do so in the months ahead.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Dublin South Selection Convention - 3rd December

2010-11-25T19:07:00.003Z

The Dublin South Dail Selection Convention will take place on Friday 3rd December 2010. The four candidates who have been shortlisted for the Convention are Senator Alex White, myself and Cllrs Aidan Culhane and Lettie McCarthy. Only shortlisted candidates can be proposed at the convention. Thanks to all those who have been in touch with me with their views about the selection process - I am considering those views carefully and I will update you on developments.

HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR RE-INSTATEMENT OF “GATEWAY” SCULPTURE

2010-11-17T14:13:00.001Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Wednesday, 17th November 2010

HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR RE-INSTATEMENT OF “GATEWAY” SCULPTURE

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has called for the immediate re-instatement of the landmark “Gateway” sculpture in Dun Laoghaire town.

The Gateway sculpture was designed by renowned artist Michael Warren and was erected at the pavilion in 2002. It was removed late last year to facilitate re-development of the pavilion area.

“I am calling on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to re-instate this magnificent piece of art as soon as possible, either in its original location or in some other equally prominent location at an entrance route to Dun Laoghaire”, Humphreys said.

“I believe that this is an outstanding piece of art which reflects, in its materials and style, the maritime history of the County.”

“There were some criticisms that the sculpture had been vandalised with graffiti. However, in my opinion, the solution to vandalism is to remove the graffiti, not to surrender to vandalism by removing the art”, Humphreys said.

“This is more than a merely local issue for Dun Laoghaire town, because the Gateway sculpture is a major monument for the whole County. I believe that the people of the County overall will welcome the re-instatement of this sculpture as an important celebration of our heritage and culture”, Humphreys said.

Ends

Webcast of November Meeting

2010-11-10T17:30:00.002Z

The webcast of the November meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line - http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=47732&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

To view my input follow these instructions: To the right hand side of the picture, you will see three tabs, Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on Index points, then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

00.38.32 for my contribution calling for consultation on changes to the parking bye-laws. Unfortunately this was passed without consultation. I voted against.

02.22.44 for my contribution supporting the antisocial behaviour strategy of the Council. I voted for this and against an ill-conceived amendment which was aimed at protecting the "human rights" of those engaging in anti-social behaviour. I believe that the amendment failed to give due weight to the rights of the community. The strategy was passed.

At the moment this webcast is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR COMMEMORATION OF MARGARET HASSAN

2010-11-07T15:23:00.001Z

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Sunday, 7 November 2010

HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR COMMEMORATION OF MARGARET HASSAN

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has called on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to commemorate the late Margaret Hassan, a citizen of the County who was murdered by the “Iraqi resistance” in 2004.

“I have submitted a motion for the Council meeting on Monday 8 November that the County Manager be directed to arrange a suitable commemoration (whether by a road or location naming, a public memorial or some other appropriate and permanent public commemoration) for a citizen of this County, Margaret Hassan, née Fitzsimons, who was born in Dalkey in April 1945, and who was murdered by the brutal and cowardly “Iraqi resistance” in November 2004, and who gave her life in the cause of humanitarian aid.” Humphreys said.

“The late Margaret Hassan was a heroic individual who devoted her life to the care of others more vulnerable, and who paid the ultimate price for that life of service. She deserves a public and permanent memorial in the county of her birth.”

“What is particularly important is to send a strong message that her life is worth celebrating, and to couple this with a condemnation of the murderous acts of the Iraqi resistance. It is sickening that a political party that has elected representatives on the Council, the Socialist Workers Party, operating as “People before Profit”, has openly supported the terrorists of the Iraqi resistance and indeed continues to do so. This appalling stance must be rejected firmly.” Humphreys said.

Ends

My speech on SWP's extremist links on youtube

2010-10-15T19:12:00.002+01:00

The following video of my speech on the extremist links of the SWP and Cllr Boyd-Barrett has been brought to my attention: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=882aK1LPkT4

Webcast of October Meeting of DLR County Council

2010-10-13T12:54:00.002+01:00

The webcast of the October meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line - http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=46616&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB

To view my input follow these instructions: To the right hand side of the picture, you will see three tabs, Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on Index points, then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

00.13.41 for my contribution on cuts to the Council budget.

00.51.12 for my contribution opposing a totally unbalanced motion to break off relations with Israel. This motion was defeated by 23-3.

01.59.04 for my motion seeking to require the Manager to accept cash payments for planning objections. Unfortunately this motion was not accepted by the Manager.

At the moment this is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

HUMPHREYS SHOCKED AT BOYD-BARRETT SUPPORT FOR EXTREMIST ORGANISATIONS

2010-10-12T11:07:00.000+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Tuesday, 12 October 2010

HUMPHREYS SHOCKED AT BOYD-BARRETT SUPPORT FOR EXTREMIST ORGANISATIONS

Speaking during the meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on 11 October 2010, Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has expressed shock at the support shown by Cllr Richard Boyd-Barrett and his Party for Extremist Islamic Organisations that are involved in terrorism, anti-Semitism and Holocaust-denial.

“Cllr Boyd Barrett is a prominent figure in the Socialist Workers Party, which has openly stated in its newspaper, the “Socialist Worker”, in August 2006 that it supports Hamas and Hezbollah.” Humphreys said. “Hamas is acknowledged by the EU to be a terrorist organisation. Its charter is openly anti-Semitic and it has engaged in Holocaust denial. Likewise Hezbollah has been categorised by many governments internationally as terrorist and is committed to the destruction of the State of Israel.”

“According to a report by Mary Fitzgerald in the Irish Times on 13 April 2009, Cllr Boyd Barrett himself spoke at an Al-Aqsa Conference in April 2009 at which Hamas paramilitary material was openly on display, and he shared a platform with speakers who openly voiced support for the jihad, the Taleban and the Iraqi and Afghan insurgents. In his own speech at that conference and again at the Council meeting last night Cllr Boyd-Barrett openly questioned Israel’s right to exist.” Humphreys said.

“Last night I challenged Cllr Boyd Barrett to condemn Hamas and Hezbollah, the Taleban and the jihadis in the Iraqi and Afghan theatres. Cllr Boyd-Barrett failed that challenge and he failed to condemn any of those organisations by name. He also failed to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, but merely objected to anti-Semitism in general. However he cannot pose as anti-war and as against discrimination while he and his Party lend succour to organisations that are anti-Semitic and extremist, and while he himself does not accept Israel’s right to exist.” Humphreys said. “The voters of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown are entitled to know about the extreme groupings that Cllr Boyd Barrett and the Socialist Workers Party/People before Profit have associated with and supported.” Humphreys said.

Ends

HUMPHREYS APPEALS TO BORD PLEANÁLA TO PROTECT ENNISKERRY ROAD GREEN BELT

2010-10-07T17:45:00.000+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Thursday, 7 October 2010

HUMPHREYS APPEALS TO BORD PLEANÁLA TO PROTECT ENNISKERRY ROAD GREEN BELT

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has today (Thursday 7 October 2010) lodged a formal appeal to An Bord Pleanála against the application by Rosemont School to relocate from Blackrock to a totally inappropriate location in the Green Belt on the Western Side of the Enniskerry Road.

“The proposed application is in an exceptionally sensitive area, zoned agricultural, which must be preserved from further significant development in the interests of proper planning and sustainable development.” Humphreys said.

“This development would set a dangerous precedent for development in this sensitive area. Other significant developments on the Western side of the Enniskerry Rd are waiting in the wings – for example a proposal to facilitate a major development at Fernhill Gardens was aired during the recent draft development plan process.” Humphreys said.

“I spoke against this development during the Draft Development Plan process and I am glad that all of the Labour Councillors on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council voted against a special local objective which was designed to facilitate this school development in a totally inappropriate location.”

“The County Manager made clear during the draft development plan process, “In planning terms Enniskerry Road is considered to function as a very well defined and demarcated edge to new development and assists in protecting the foothills of the mountains from encroachment. ‘Leap frogging’ Enniskerry Road, as is being proposed, will prejudicially undermine the value of the buffer and could set an undesirable precedent for further inappropriate development west of Enniskerry Road.” The development “could have far reaching implications for the character, amenity and biodiversity of this sensitive foothills locale.”

“The County Manager also made clear that “The catchment area of this school is, by its very nature, significantly wider than the local hinterland. The extent of any future take-up of school places by locals is likely to be very limited by reason of being a single gender, private school. The new “Code of Practice on the Provision of Schools and the Planning System”, published jointly by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Education and Science, is built around three core objectives – one of which is that school provision should be an integral part of the evolution of compact, sustainable urban developments where the opportunities to walk or cycle to school are maximized. The proposal being advocated … would appear to be at odds with this stated objective. There is little scope to provide access to the development by sustainable travel modes (walking, cycling or public transport) due to lack of a footway and infrequent bus services. Additional car traffic generated from the development would add to existing traffic congestion on Enniskerry road and nearby junctions during morning peak hours with many trips likely to be originating from outside the immediate area, given that the school is relocating from Blackrock.”

“I agree with the County Manager’s conclusion that the proposal “conflicts with the principles of sustainable development and is therefore contrary to proper planning and sustainable development.” Humphreys said. “Indeed I feel so strongly about this matter that not only did I lodge a formal objection to the Council but I have now taken the step of formally lodging an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, with a view to ensuring that the sensitive Green Belt on the Western side of the Enniskerry Rd is preserved for future generations.” Humphreys said.

Ends

DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN SHOULD WELCOME QUEEN ELIZABETH IN THE EVENT OF A STATE VISIT - HUMPHREYS

2010-09-28T12:42:00.000+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Tuesday, 28 September 2010

DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN SHOULD WELCOME QUEEN ELIZABETH IN THE EVENT OF A STATE VISIT - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has submitted a motion to the next meeting of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council calling for the County to offer a welcoming event to Queen Elizabeth II in the event that a State visit takes place.

“I am submitting this motion as a constitutional republican and as a person who shares the aspiration to a united Ireland, but also as someone who is anxious to see ever more friendly relations with our nearest neighbours in these islands.” Humphreys said.

“My motion is not calling for a State visit – that is a matter for the two Governments. However I personally believe that such a visit would be timely and appropriate. My motion would call on the Council to make available a suitable welcoming event should the two Governments decide that the U.K. Head of State will make a State visit to Ireland. I believe that this would be a welcome and important step towards greater reconciliation and normalisation of relationships within these islands.”

“Comparisons will be drawn with the visit by Queen Elizabeth’s Great-Great Grandmother, Queen Victoria, to Dún Laoghaire in 1900. However that visit took place under completely different circumstances. It was a visit to an Ireland that had lost its own independent parliamentary institutions. There is no comparison between the rightly controversial visit of Queen Victoria in 1900 and the possibility of welcoming the Head of State of our neighbouring jurisdiction in the 21st century.” Humphreys said.

Ends

My Grandfather's war memoirs published

2010-09-22T10:34:00.003+01:00

I have finished a project of editing and publishing my maternal Grandfather Frank Flanagan's memoirs of his service in the Great War and of Dublin society both before and after the war.

This turned out to be a major enough project but the book is now published on lulu.com and available free as an e-book or, for a printed copy, at cost price of EUR 10.73 plus postage/packing.

Flanagan was a strong nationalist and a prominent member of a now vanished Dublin society. He had a vast circle of friends in the Dublin of his times, and many of the more interesting or prominent Dubliners of his day make an appearance in the memoir.

Frank Flanagan (1886-1970), known as “The Pope” Flanagan, was born on 11th December 1886, the 11th and last child of Alderman Michael Flanagan and Anne Collins, then aged 53 and 44. Flanagan was educated at Clongowes Wood College, after which he joined the Jesuits in 1904 as a clerical student. He left after 3 years. After a stay in the US in 1907-08 during which he met with President Roosevelt, he returned to Ireland, and lived at the family home at Portmahon House, Rialto, working as an insurance broker and market gardener for a while. He joined the Irish Volunteers and helped create a distraction during the Howth gun-running in 1914. Later that year he joined the Royal Artillery and served in the Somme, Greece, Egypt, India and Mesopotamia. He took part in the successful capture of Kut in 1917.

The book is available at this link: http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1150552

Webcast of September Council Meeting

2010-09-14T19:51:00.002+01:00

The webcast of the September meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line - http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=44972&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

At the moment this is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

To view my input follow these instructions: To the right hand side of the picture, you will see three tabs, Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on Index points, then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

01.08.20 for my contribution on transferring housing land to a central agency. I voted against this proposal, which was passed by the Council.

01.55.42 and 02.01.42 for my motion on legal advice regarding regulation of high hedges and trees. Unfortunately this motion was defeated, although all Labour members voted for it.

FG/FF WRONG TO BLOCK MOVE ON REGULATION OF HIGH HEDGES - HUMPHREYS

2010-09-14T10:12:00.001+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Tuesday, 14 September 2010

FG/FF WRONG TO BLOCK MOVE ON REGULATION OF HIGH HEDGES - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has expressed disappointment that the FG and FF Councillors on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have combined to defeat a motion seeking legal advice on whether the Council can regulate the problem of high hedges and trees, which has become a serious issue for many residents.

“Many residents of the County have complained to me about excessively high trees and hedges, particularly Leylandii, which block their light and can even put their gardens into shadow virtually all year round. This is a form of anti-social behaviour and indeed is classified as such in U.K. law. The existing law of nuisance appears to be inadequate to deal with this problem in any effective way, and for that reason I proposed a motion to the County Council yesterday (13 September) seeking further legal advice on whether these high hedges and high trees can be regulated by means of bye-laws.”

“The Manager produced advice from the Council’s internal law agent which stated that the matter can be effectively dealt with by existing private law. This, in my opinion, is completely incorrect. The Manager also stated that even if the legal advice was positive, he did not wish the Council to regulate this area or to take on new functions in relation to it. However that is a matter for the elected members, and I believe that it would be possible to design bye-laws to control high hedges which would not impose an administrative burden on the Council.”

“In my view, FG and FF, including all of the other councillors in the Stillorgan Ward, made a major error of judgment in opposing my motion to seek further legal advice on this matter. The net result of their action is that many residents who are suffering from a form of anti-social behaviour will be left without any hope of seeing an effective avenue of redress” Humphreys said. “The FG/FF action demonstrates a regrettable complacency about this urgent problem. By contrast I was very pleased that my motion was supported by all of the other members of the Labour Party group on the Council.”

Ends

Elected Chair of Dundrum Area Committee

2010-09-07T09:28:00.003+01:00

At the meeting of the Dundrum Area Committee yesterday, 6 September, I was pleased to be elected unanimously as the Chairperson of the Dundrum Area Committee for 2010-11. The Committee covers the Wards of Stillorgan, Dundrum and Glencullen-Sandyford. Cllr Tom Joyce did an excellent, efficient and unobtrusive job chairing the Area Committee during the past year and it is a privilege to be taking over from him for the current year.

My statement on Welfare Appeals covered on Dublinobserver.com

2010-09-03T10:26:00.001+01:00

See http://dublinobserver.com/2010/09/welfare-appeals-huge-with-50-wrongly-rejected/

HUMPHREYS CONDEMNS MASSIVE BACKLOG IN WELFARE APPEALS

2010-09-01T19:21:00.000+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Wednesday, 1 September 2010

HUMPHREYS CONDEMNS MASSIVE BACKLOG IN WELFARE APPEALS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has condemned the huge backlog of social welfare appeals, which are now taking up to six months or more to be determined. “These backlogs are extremely serious in the context of an increase in unemployment in my area of over 300% since the election” Humphreys said.

Cllr Humphreys has called on the Minister for Social Protection, Eamon Ó Cuiv, to provide additional staff and resources to allow the huge backlog of social welfare appeals to be cleared.

“In my own area, unemployment has surged since the general election, and now stands at 5,487 persons in the Rathfarnham office and 7,963 persons in Dun Laoghaire, as of June 2010 – up from 1681 and 2344 persons respectively in May 2007 – that is an increase of 334% in the offices serving my area alone.”

“With the major increase in the number of people losing their jobs, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of applications for social welfare payments. This in turn has led to a massive increase in the number of appeals where applicants have been turned down.”

“The number of appeals taken against decisions of social welfare officers in 2009 amounted to 25,963, an increase of 48% in the number for 2008. I understand that there are currently in the region of 22,000 appeals waiting determination and that this is likely to increase to more than 30,000 by the end of the year.” Humphreys said.

“Appeals can take up to six months or more. The fact that close to half of all appeals (48.2% in 2009) are successful clearly shows that many applicants are being turned down in the wrong.

“Many of those whose applications for social welfare payments are turned down are effectively left penniless, creating real hardship. While they can apply for supplementary welfare from a Community Welfare Office (CWO) this system is itself, under severe pressure and CWO can refuse payment on the basis that a social welfare application has already been rejected.

“While there have been some additional staff provided for the Social Welfare Appeals Office, this has been nothing like enough to cope with the huge growth in social welfare applications. For instance, the number of people on the Live Register has increased by 95% over the past two years.

“It is unacceptable that those whose social welfare applications have been wrongly turned down are being left penniless for lengthy periods while their appeals are being processed. Minister Ó Cuiv must provide the staff and resources to ensure that the backlog is cleared and that all appeals are heard and determined within a reasonable period of time.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Webcast of adjourned June meeting of County Council

2010-06-26T16:41:00.002+01:00

The webcast of the adjourned June meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line - http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=42076&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

At the moment this is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

To view my input follow these instructions: To the right hand side of the picture, you will see three tabs, Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on Index points, then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

02.24.03 for my contribution proposing an amendment to a People against Profit motion declaring no confidence in the Government. My amendment, and the motion as amended, were passed.

Alex White selected as Dublin South Bye-Election Candidate

2010-06-17T22:29:00.004+01:00

Attended the Dublin South Bye-Election selection convention at which Senator Alex White was unanimously selected as the Labour candidate. I had the pleasure of proposing Alex's nomination to the Convention. Loraine Mulligan seconded the nomination and the picture shows Alex with Loraine and me after the meeting. I wish him well and know he is an excellent candidate who has the capacity to win the seat for Labour.

COUNCIL APPROVAL NOT SOUGHT ON CARRICKMINES CASE - HUMPHREYS

2010-06-17T00:16:00.001+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Thursday, 17 June 2010

COUNCIL APPROVAL NOT SOUGHT ON CARRICKMINES CASE - HUMPHREYS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has expressed concern that the Manager has been conducting the defence of High Court proceedings regarding the Development Plan without having the express approval of the elected members of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council.

“On 4 May, a company called Tristor Ltd, the developers behind the flawed Carrickmines District Centre proposal, issued an application for leave to bring judicial review against the Council, the Minister and the State, challenging the process involved in making the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Development Plan” Humphreys said.

“The case centres on the fact that the developers were thwarted in their flawed proposal for excessive retail at Carrickmines by a ministerial directive to remove the proposal, which was accepted by the Council.”

“This case was not notified to the members at the next meeting of the Council on 10 May. Without the involvement of the members, the Manager instructed counsel, defended the proceedings and arranged for filing of affidavits and intended statements of opposition in early June. When the matter was first notified to members at the annual meeting on 14 June, the Deputy Manager stated that this was only “for information” and “for noting”.”

“The Local Government Act 2001 (section 153(2)) is very clear that in conducting proceedings involving a reserved function, the Manager must act with the “express authorisation” of the elected members. So far, this express authorisation has not been sought by the Manager. A report has been presented for information and noting only, not for approval, and well after the defence of the proceedings has begun and after the stance of the Manager has been outlined to the Court.”

“I am concerned that the Manager has not sought the specific approval of the Councillors regarding the defence of this case. I believe this may not be in conformity with the legislation and may jeopardise the defence of these proceedings. As it is now clear that the approval of the members was not sought, I am concerned that it may be open to the developers to seek to strike out any affidavits filed by the Manager on the grounds that the Act has not been complied with. In my view the correct course is for the Manager to now seek the express approval of the members for the defence of these proceedings.” Humphreys said.

Ends

Annual Meeting of County Council

2010-06-16T23:03:00.005+01:00

The Annual meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line - http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=41772&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB

At the moment this is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

To view my input follow these instructions: To the right hand side of the picture, you will see three tabs, Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on Index points, then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

00.25.08 for my contribution proposing Cllr Neale Richmond as incoming Leas-Cathaoirleach. Picture shows me handing the chain of office over to Cllr Richmond, who I wish well and I am sure he will be an excellent Leas-Cathaoirleach. (Photo credit to Cllr Barry Ward.)

At the annual meeting Cllr Lettie McCarthy was elected Cathaoirleach and I wish her well, I am sure her year will be a great success.

00.41.06 for my contribution seeking a second legal opinion on the issue of the motion regarding discontinuation of the Council's waste collection service. Unfortunately this motion was not agreed to. The Labour Group believes that the Manager's approach to this issue is not correct or appropriate.

02.06.53 for my contribution querying why the Manager has not sought the approval of members of the Council for his defence of the litigation regarding the Development Plan.

A little occasional culture: "Letters to Juliet" and the limits of "chick-lit"

2010-06-13T13:15:00.003+01:00

As my regular blog readers know I like to mix a little culture with the politics occasionally. It’s time for another film review on this blog – “Letters to Juliet” which I saw last night. Spoiler warning coming because this film is hard to discuss without talking about the plot a little. It’s a weepie rom-com with some genuine laughs so your admission price won’t be wasted as long as you expect it to do what it says on the tin. However …

Some people (chick-lit writers mainly) argue that there is no difference between chick-lit and literary writing – it’s all novels written in English, right? Maybe the differences between the chick-lit/rom-com and literary genres are easier to see on the screen.

What distinguishes the chick-flick/ chick-lit production from a literary work? There are the tottering plot improbabilities, the dependence on coincidence to drive the story forward. There are the cardboard cut-out characters, by which I mean the characters without any inner life to speak of. There is the neat way in which ends are tied together and all plot lines resolved. True love triumphs and we end with a kiss, a wedding or a new baby. There are some similarities here with writing for young children. We all like simplicity and happiness so these are not things to be scorned. As I say this film is not without its pleasures.

The film starts with Sophie and her impossibly handsome fiancé Victor going to Italy for a pre-wedding trip. Victor is busy with his work and hasn’t much time for Sophie. Events bring Sophie into contact with Charlie, who seems quite rude at first, but … look you can write the remaining 90 minutes yourself after that opening.

Especially if you’ve read or watched Bridget Jones’ Diary, from the pages of which Charlie seems to have effortlessly stepped.

If the film was made by Woody Allen we might possibly have had Sophie and Victor sticking together in their financially burgeoning but cold, loveless, mismatched arrangement, based perhaps on good looks and habit, the inherent inertia of the existing situation. We would certainly have had at least a little of Victor’s own thoughts or feelings – in this film he seems to have no inner life at all. Surely the guy must have some idea how it’s going to pan out with Sophie, how he feels about her, what he sees in her, what his plans are for them and so on. Allen would have had him confessing this to his analyst or his friends or to Sophie herself. We get none of that here. They might as well have doled out black and white hats to the characters at the outset.

That said, the film earns some emotional brownie points for the fact that Sophie did find a way to address her loveless relationship. Though there was something remarkably passive, incurious, even cold about how this was done - "we're not getting along" becomes "therefore we must split up right now" - no discussion of how anyone feels, whether negotiation and compromise are possible, how it got to that point. A lot that could have been learned seems not to have been - one fears for her next relationship.

There was also the way the film deals with Charlie’s grandmother Claire’s narcissistic quest for her Italian boyfriend Lorenzo that she had suddenly abandoned 50 years before. When he is improbably located, he welcomes her with open arms and (of course) they get married 50 years on. Lorenzo’s willingness to revert to his 15 year old self, drop everything now that his ex-love has changed her mind decades later, is a dose of emotional rat poison. I think I rather prefer Gloria Gaynor’s approach to exactly the same situation … “weren’t you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye …”!

URGENT ACTION NEEDED ON LAMENTABLE WATER CHARGE COLLECTIONS

2010-05-25T11:46:00.002+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Leas Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Tuesday, 25 May 2010

URGENT ACTION NEEDED ON LAMENTABLE WATER CHARGE COLLECTIONS

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has called for urgent action by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to improve collection of outstanding commercial water charges.

“An investigation by today’s Irish Independent indicates that Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown is one of the 5 worst Councils in the country for collection of commercial water charges. This is appalling and the Council needs to address this urgently” Humphreys said

“At the Council meeting on 26 April, I proposed that action be taken to seriously step up the pressure on defaulters, by instituting a scheme whereby non-payers would be publicly listed, like Revenue cheats. Unfortunately my motion was opposed by the Manager on bureaucratic grounds and as a result was defeated by one vote.” Humphreys said.

“I am calling on the Manager to reconsider and to acknowledge that there has been a real systems failure in terms of collection of commercial water charges, and that effective action is now required.”

“I am also particularly shocked that my motion was opposed by the socialist workers party/people before profit councillors, who seem happy to take the pressure off corporate water charge cheats. While times are hard for all businesses, those who fail to pay water charges are short-changing not only the others who do pay up, but also all of the citizens of the county whose services have been cut back due to falling Council incomes.”

“Water is an extremely expensive substance to treat and supply, and it cannot be supplied in unlimited quantities to all users for nothing. Companies or indeed politicians who pretend otherwise are deluding themselves and the public.” Humphreys said.

Ends

For more information contact Cllr Richard Humphreys at 086 781-4518
www.richardhumphreys.ie
www.richardhumphreys.blogspot.com

NOTE FOR EDITORS

The text of Councillor Humphreys’ Motion, the manager’s report and the vote on it are below

C/255/10
Name and Shame

It was proposed by Councillor R. Humphreys and seconded by Councillor A. Culhane:

“That the Council introduce a ‘name and shame’ scheme for companies or individuals who fail to pay rates or charges lawfully due to the Council, subject to such exceptions and conditions as are set out in the scheme.”

The following report of the Manager, copy of which had been circulated to the Members, was CONSIDERED:

“Rates, Water & Environmental Charges are among the more significant charges
levied by this Council and constitute 49.5% of the income provided for in the 2010 Budget and are payable on foot of the issue of invoices by the Council to its
Customers. Other significant charges include planning fees, fire cert charges etc but these are payable at the time of application for the service.

Rates are a local charge payable on all commercial properties. The basis for
determining the charge and procedures for collection are set out in various pieces of statute. The most common remedy for addressing non - payment of the charge is the institution of legal proceedings against defaulting Ratepayers, either in the
District or Circuit Court, depending on the amount owing. The proceedings in these Courts are open to reporting in the local & national media. Where a judgement is obtained the Council can then apply to the Court for a warrant, which is then lodged with the County Sheriff for execution. Alternatively, the Council can apply to convert an order of the Court into a decree details of which can then be published in the trade gazettes or the decree can be registered as a interest bearing mortgage against the property of the defaulting Ratepayer.

The amount collected in respect of Commercial Rates for the year ended 31/12/2009 equaled 84.5% of the total amount collectable for the year, which resulted in a collection shortfall for the full year of 6.77% in comparison to the previous year, and this collection performance is considered satisfactory having regard to the very difficult economic climate that prevailed in 2009 and currently prevails. The Council’s Rate Collectors are in continuous contact with their Customers and will continue to make every effort to ensure the maximum rate collection percentage is achieved in 2010, cognisant of the difficult trading environment being experienced by the business community.

With regard to the non - payment of Environmental Waste Charges it is Council
policy to discontinue service to non paying customers who have not entered into an acceptable agreement with the Council for payment of the charge. Where payment is not forthcoming, despite the Council’s efforts to collect the monies owing, the account is then referred to one of the Council’s debt collecting agencies. These agencies advise the non - paying customers of the consequences of not addressing the outstanding debt, including the detrimental effect it may have on their credit rating and the possibility of legal proceedings being initiated. Legal proceedings are undertaken, where appropriate, and would be open to reporting in the local and national press. In the case of non – paying commercial water charges customers it is Council policy to discontinue supply to these customers where a satisfactory agreement to address outstanding charges has not been entered into. The use of legal proceedings, in appropriate cases, is also been examined.

It is considered that the necessity for a “Name & Shame” Scheme does not arise at the present time. However, should such a scheme be introduced it would have to comply with the Council’s obligations to its customers with regard to confidentiality of information and to the provisions of the Data Protection & Freedom of Information legislation and other relevant statutes.”

Following discussion Councillor R. Humphreys amended his motion as follows:

It was proposed by Councillor R. Humphreys and seconded by Councillor G. Horkan:

“That the Council introduce a ‘name and shame’ scheme for companies or individuals who fail to pay rates or charges lawfully due to the Council, subject to such exceptions and conditions as are set out in the scheme and who meet such threshold criteria as are set out in the scheme.”

A further discussion took place, during which Ms. H. Cunningham, A/ Head of Finance responded to Member’s queries. A roll call vote on the amended motion was requested, the result was as follows:

COUNCILLORS: FOR

Brennan, Aoife √
Culhane, Aidan √
Fitzpatrick, Stephen √
Horkan, Gerry √
Humphreys, Richard √
O’Callaghan, Denis √
Smyth, Carrie √

AGAINST
Bailey, John F. √
Bailey, Maria √
Baker, Marie √
Boyd Barrett, Richard √
Boyhan, Victor √
Lewis, Hugh √
Marren, Donal √
O’Keeffe, Gearóid √

ABSTAINED
Dillon Byrne, Jane √

DID NOT VOTE/NOT PRESENT
Bhreathnach, Niamh
Devlin, Cormac
Fox, Tony
Hand, Pat
Joyce, Tom
McCarthy, Lettie
Mitchell O’Connor, Mary
Murphy, Tom
O’Leary, Jim
Richmond, Neale
Saul, Barry
Ward, Barry

Total: 7 8 1

An Cathaoirleach, Councillor M. Baker declared the amended motion DEFEATED.

May Meeting of County Council

2010-05-11T19:02:00.002+01:00

The May meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is now on line - http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=40266&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

At the moment this is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

To view my input follow these instructions: To the right hand side of the picture, you will see three tabs, Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on Index points, then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

00.07.58 for my contribution on public consultation on the Road Safety Strategy. As a result of my proposal, the Manager agreed to engage in consultation with relevant agencies.

01.02.24 for my contribution proposing my motion regarding the record of protected structures. The motion was agreed and will enhance the protection of structures of local importance in the County.

HUMPHREYS PROPOSALS ON PROTECTED STRUCTURES AGREED

2010-05-10T21:18:00.000+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS
Leas Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan
Monday, 10 May 2010

HUMPHREYS PROPOSALS ON PROTECTED STRUCTURES AGREED

A motion to provide better protection for buildings of cultural importance proposed by Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has been agreed by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

“After a campaign that has lasted some months I am glad to have achieved enhanced protection for important structures within the County” Humphreys said. “My motion, agreed by the County Manager and unanimously by the Council on Monday 10 May, enhances the protection for structures of local importance.”

“Legislation is clear that the Council can act to add buildings to the record of protected structures on an ongoing basis, not just during the development plan. However clear procedures for this to be done have been lacking. My motion sets out a target for the Manager to report to the Council’s area committees once a year with a report on any suggestions made by organisations or the public as to structures to be added to the Council’s record of protected structures.”

“The new procedures will also widen the category of structures open for consideration to be protected, and these will now include structures of local importance, in compliance with Department of the Environment guidelines.”

“Furthermore it is agreed that the new procedures will be placed on the Council’s website in order to enhance the transparency of the process.” Humphreys said.

Ends

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES UPGRADE OF STILLORGAN LIBRARY

2010-05-08T20:48:00.001+01:00

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Leas Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Saturday, 8 May 2010

HUMPHREYS WELCOMES UPGRADE OF STILLORGAN LIBRARY

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has welcomed the decision by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to invest at least €80,000 in an upgrade of Stillorgan Library.

“I am delighted that this vital community facility is going to be upgraded in the near future” Humphreys said. “The Council has decided to invest a sum in the order of €80,000 to €100,000 in an upgrade of the facilities.

“The investment, which is going to tender in the coming weeks, will enable public toilets to be installed for the first time. I am also hoping to see a number of other enhancements to the library and I have written to the County Librarian setting out my ideas and proposals for improving the library. I believe that a modern library service must take into account innovative ideas for delivering the best possible service. This is particularly so where the library is a busy one at the heart of the community, such as that in Stillorgan, which is very heavily used by residents of all ages in the area.

“I am personally very committed to the development of the library service, and to the Stillorgan library in particular. I was very pleased to support the development of a major new County library building in Moran Park, Dun Laoghaire. This important development was quite absurdly opposed by the People before Profit party – the same group that has cynically presented themselves as guardians of Sallynoggin library. Their opposition to the Moran Park Central Library and Cultural Centre shows that their talk of supporting the library service is just an attempted con job on the public.

Ends

Special Meeting of the County Council

2010-05-01T15:03:00.003+01:00

As there has been a temporary backlog of motions for the Council, I and 4 other councillors requested a special meeting of the Council to try to make some inroads into this backlog. The special meeting of the County Council took place on 26 April and is now on line - http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=39794&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB

At the moment this is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

To view my input follow these instructions: To the right hand side of the picture, you will see three tabs, Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on Index points, then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

00.43.53 for my speech moving a motion on publishing a list of names of customers who fail to pay rates or charges lawfully due.
00.55.41 replying to that debate. My motion was defeated by one vote but I will pursue the issue at a later stage given the need for fairness to those who do pay charges lawfully due.

02.07.39 for my contribution opposing the People before Profit motion regarding closure of Sallynoggin Library. The new Library facility is community run and will hopefully address some of the problems of low usage of the old library. The PbP motion fails to acknowledge this and is something of a stunt. Their motion was duly defeated.

Labour Party Conference 2010

2010-04-20T22:21:00.004+01:00

Back from Galway after a successful and positive Labour Party Conference. Party Leader Eamon Gilmore TD gave an excellent speech on Saturday night. My speech on the economic crisis is here

Road Safety Strategy - article in Southside People

2010-04-20T22:16:00.005+01:00

My statement on the Council's road safety strategy is covered in the current Southside People. I have submitted an amendment, seconded by Cllr Niamh Bhreathnach, calling for a consultation process for the next Council meeting. http://www.dublinpeople.com/content/view/3141/57/

Yesterday's Evening Herald

2010-04-15T22:30:00.003+01:00

I am quoted in yesterday's Evening Herald on the issue of increasing retail provision in Carrickmines: http://www.herald.ie/national-news/rebels-pass-d18-shops-rezone-plan-2136865.html

April Council Meeting

2010-04-14T21:19:00.002+01:00

The April Council meeting is now on line - http://www.dlrcoco.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=39251&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB#the_data_area

At the moment this is playing properly on Internet Explorer but not Google Chrome.

To view my input follow these instructions: To the right hand side of the picture, you will see three tabs, Home, Index Points and Speakers. Click on Index points, then scroll down and click on my name at the following point(s) -

00.06.53 and 01.03.18 for my contributions against the proposal for additional retail at Carrickmines.

Debate on Carrickmines Retail

2010-04-13T06:39:00.001+01:00

The debate on the Carrickmines retail motion is covered in today's Irish Times. I and a number of other Labour Councillors are quoted setting out our opposition to it: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0413/1224268227522.html