Councillor Kieran Binchy at the Dodder walkway

This section of the route will run mostly along the banks of the River Dodder, from its mouth at Grand Canal Dock, through Ringsend, Lansdowne, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Clonskeagh, Milltown, Dartry, Churchtown and Rathfarnham, then joining with the section through South County Dublin which has recently been through planning. The route will cross into Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown in the vicinity of Clonskeagh, Milltown and Churchtown. It is intended that the route will utilise the various parks along the corridor, including Herbert Park, Dartry Park, Orwell Park, and the linear parks between Clonskeagh and Milltown.

The general principle of the scheme is to provide an attractive leisure and commuter cycle route that would be on par with other routes of its kind in Europe. To achieve this a holistic design approach has to be exercised, taking into account not only journey times and comfort of cyclists but also various other aspects including but not limited to, consideration of pedestrians and local walkers, impact on flora and fauna, benefiting local communities through enhancing existing and providing new amenities, increasing accessibility to and providing good connectivity between local businesses, village centres, and other cycle paths. The proposals will incorporate a number of rest places with bike parking facilities, linkages to cafes and restaurants, potential for Dublin Bike stations, and various heritage places of architectural or historical interest, which will be consistently sign posted, and easy to locate and access. It is the intention that the greenway will be branded, and a signing strategy will be developed as part of the design.

Currently we are developing the route options, and consulting with the relevant statutory bodies and key stakeholders including DCC and DLR departments, to determine the particular requirements for the scheme.

We also intend to consult with other interested parties including business groups, local community groups, and affected landowners, etc, to gather any comments or observations in relation to the scheme and to assist with identification of constraints that must be taken into consideration as part of the design of the greenway route.

It is envisaged that a preferred option will be identified in November, which can then be circulated for comment. It is also intended to hold a public consultation on the preferred option early in the New Year, with any feedback forming part of the development of the preliminary design. Once the preliminary design is complete, a further statutory public consultation will be held as part of the planning process, which is likely to be Summer/Autumn 2016.

Q.126 COUNCILLOR KIERAN BINCHY

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the formation of a community liaison forum for the Poolbeg incinerator.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPLY:
Membership:
The committee shall comprise 10 members having an independent chairperson, 3 local community representatives, 3 elected members of Dublin City Council, 2 officials of Dublin City Council and 1 representative from the operators of the waste to energy facility.

The Independent Chair
The Chief Executive has appointed Peter McLoone as independent Chairperson of the CGLC. Peter has considerable experience on various Boards, Committees and Agencies in a variety of organisations and sectors.

3 Local Community Representatives
An Assessment Panel comprising the Chair, the Lord Mayor and the Executive Manager, Environment & Transportation Department met on the 3rd June to assess the applications received for membership of the Committee from the following sectors:
(i) community/voluntary/disadvantage (ii) education/sports/art/culture/environment and (iii) business. The Panel has nominated one group from each sector to the Chief Executive who will then appoint the 3 community representatives on confirmation from them that they are agreeable to the appointment.

3 Elected Representatives
The 3 elected representatives have been selected by the South East Area Committee (SEAC) at its meeting on the 9th March. The SEAC has agreed that the following 3 councillors will sit on the CGLC from March 2015 to April 2017:
Cllr Chris Andrews
Cllr Claire Byrne
Cllr Kieran Binchy
The following 3 councillors will sit on the CGLC from May 2017 to May 2019:
Cllr Dermot Lacy
Cllr Frank Kennedy
Cllr Paddy McCartan

2 Officials of Dublin City Council
The Chief Executive has appointed the South East Area Manager and the Senior Executive Officer, Environment & Transportation Department to the CGLC.

1 Representative from the Operator of the facility
Covanta has nominated its General Manager, John Daly to the Committee.

When all the appointments have been made, it is intention of the Chair to convene the first meeting of the committee which is likely to be before the end of June.

Following the coastal flooding in the past few years in the Sandymount area, Dublin City Council are investigating the construction of a flood defence scheme at Sandymount. The flood defence scheme will have an impact on the promenade and beach at Sandymount. There are various flood defence options being considered in relation to the scheme. Prior to any decision being made on the type of flood defence, site investigation works need to be carried out to assess the existing seawalls.

Site Investigation Works

• Section 1 – Site Investigatory Works at the Existing Seawall from Sean Moore Park to Existing Promenade (~705m)

1. Condition survey of the existing seawall (seaward side and carriageway side) with compilation of detailed report complete with assessment and recommendations;

2. Excavation of 4No. trial holes to assess the existing seawall foundation with inspection and recording of same;

3. Excavation of 4No. trial holes to locate existing HV ESB cable(s) (seaward side of the existing seawall) with inspection and recording of same;

4. Excavation of 4No. slit trenches to locate existing services on the footpath along the existing seawall with inspection and recording of same;

• Section 2 – Site Investigatory Works at the Existing Dwarf Wall along Sandymount Promenade (~1130m);

1. Condition survey of the existing dwarf wall which is located at the back of footpath along the existing promenade with compilation of detailed report complete with assessment and recommendations.

The condition surveys of both walls will be non-intrusive and will mainly be completed by visual inspection. However, 8 No. trial holes will be excavated on the beach area to inspect the wall foundations and locate an existing high voltage ESB cable(s).

The site investigation works are due to commence on Monday 9th March 2015 and are due to be completed on Thursday 12th March 2015.

Please see above a location map of the site investigation area.

A protected structure is a structure that a planning authority considers to be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view. If you are the owner or occupier of a protected structure, you are legally obliged to prevent it becoming endangered whether through damage or neglect. The ESB owns the Poolbeg Chimneys.

Although they are of recent industrial provenance, the chimneys are considered by many Dubliners to be iconic because of their visual impact and social and artistic influence. On this basis the Dublin City Council Conservation Section has agreed to produce a report on whether the chimneys meet the criteria for being listed as a protected structure. It will report to the Councillors on the South East Area Committee (SEAC), which is the area that covers the Poolbeg Peninsula and Ringsend and Sandymount.

The following is the most recent reply (December 20014)  to Cllr. Kieran Binchy from the South East Area Manager of Dublin City Council:

The Conservation Section has commissioned an architectural historian to research and report on the chimneys at Poolbeg. The report is expected to be completed by the end of January, at which time the Conservation Section will review it and examine its findings. Therefore, a report on the chimneys for the South East Area Committee is not likely to be provided until the March meeting at the earliest.

The matter is therefore on hand, but it will take a number of months before the initial report is before the Councillors. In the meanwhile the ESB has not indicated that it has any plans (either positive or negative) for the chimneys, but any plans that it did have would be subject to the normal planning permission procedure.

Councillor Kieran Binchy

Dear Chief Executive,

I understand that the Minister for Transport has issued Circular RSD 01/2014 on the control of Vehicle Speeds in Housing Estates, which calls on local authorities to examine speed limits in residential areas and housing estates to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians, especially children.

I understand that the circular requests the Chief Executive to initiate consultation with residents with a view to determine the need for new bye-laws for 30 km/h limits for residential estates and additional selected safety zones.

Many residential streets in the inner suburbs such as in Sandymount and Portobello are currently used by rat-running commuters and other drivers moving at a speed that may be within the national speed limits but which is totally unsuitable for residential streets with many young families. I am strongly of the view that such streets would benefit greatly from such a change of speed limits. This could be implemented while keeping the normal limit on the primary commuter routes.

Can you therefore provide an update on the implementation of this circular?

Kind regards,

Cllr. Kieran Binchy

Fine Gael Councillor has welcomed news that all local authorities are to examine speed limits in residential areas and housing estates. The directive was issued to local authorities by the Minister for Transport, Sport and Tourism, Paschal Donohoe TD.

“Minister Donohoe has contacted all local authorities, including Dublin City Council Council, directing them to review the speed limits in residential areas and in housing estates.

Cllr. Kieran Binchy stated: “A 50km/h speed limit in highly populated areas is dangerous. We need speed ramps, lower limits and traffic calming measures to ensure the safety of children, cyclists and pedestrians in these areas.

“There are many residential streets locally which have a high volume of traffic passing through. Some are used as rat runs for the morning and afternoon school drop-off and collection times, or by commuters, with vehicles often travelling at speed. Not everyone is cognisant of the fact that small children may be on the footpath or even on the road playing with their friends – and this is where tragedy can strike,”

“I would like to thank Minister Donohoe for making this move. I would encourage Dublin City Council to implement the circular in order to secure the safety of everyone living in these areas, especially our young children.”

Councillor Kieran Binchy on the Dodder walkway

The proposed route was walked by reps from SE Area Office, BADRA, SAMRA, IHF and Sandymount Tidy Towns Committee on 20th October 2014. Led by the IHF the group walked the full route stopping at staging points where signage or new poles were required. By agreement there were a number of points where it was agreed that new poles could be dispensed with and existing public lighting poles/Aviva directional poles used instead. Along the 3.7km route only four new poles are now required and only one of these is in the Sandymount Architectural Conservation Area. This pole outside the Spar shop at the corner of Claremont Road and Sandymount Road could be affixed in the location of a missing traffic bollard. Having assessed the route the IHF state that ‘the proposed route meets our criteria for what constitutes a suitable safe, accessible Slí na Sláinte route….’

Following mitigation of signage requirements along the route a decision has been made to proceed with the proposed Slí na Sláinte. IHF will commence preparation of art work for the brochure and map board in conjunction with BADRA and arrangements will be made to procure the required signage. The Slí na Sláinte is likely to be launched in January 2015 when flood alleviation works along Beatty’s Avenue are completed.

Park Avenue,

Sydney Parade Avenue,

Ailesbury Road,

Simmonscourt Road,

Eglinton Road,

Herbert Park Road.

 The Area Manager stated that Road Maintenance will inspect the above mentioned areas, if the trees are blocking the street lights, the proprietor in each case will be contacted and instructed to prune back their tree. If the tree is on footpaths, Parks Department will be notified. Road Maintenance will advise Cllr. Binchy on the outcome of the investigation. The Parks and Landscapes Service are currently working to clear the growth around traffic lights. The other locations have been noted for future works.

After following up with the relevant sections, Cllr. Kieran Binchy received the following further reply:

Reply:

Road Maintenance have inspected the above mentioned areas, Parks Department have been advised of the requirement to prune trees on

• Park Avenue,

• Sydney Parade Avenue,

• Ailesbury Road,

• Eglinton Road,

• Herbert Park Road.

3 Private residences have been informed to prune their trees which are blocking street lighting on one of the above mentioned roads.

Please note, Road Maintenance did not notice any trees blocking street lighting on Simmonscourt Road. If Cllr Binchy wishes to clarify any specific location, Road Maintenance will re-investigate the named location on Simmonscourt Road.

Cllr. Kieran Binchy announced as new Pembroke South Dock Councillor, May 2014

I look forward to working for all of the residents and businesses across the area, from Sandymount to Portobello, from Ringsend to Milltown, from Donnybrook to Temple Bar, from Ballsbridge to the Docklands, and from Merrion/Nutley to the Inner City.

Please do not hesitate to get in contact by email or telephone.

Thank you for your support.

Kind regards,

Kieran

Pembroke South Dock local election candidate Councillor Kieran Binchy (Fine Gael) has launched his campaign video, outlining his vision for a better Dublin.

In the short video, Kieran highlights some of the improvements he has successfully campaigned for in your area.

Kieran has made a difference in his three years on Dublin City Council: he has fought successfully for better cycle lanes and an expansion of the Dublin Bikes scheme; he was instrumental in getting the marina at Grand Canal Dock opened up; he has opposed inappropriate development in residential areas; he has lobbied to make the city’s parks and canal banks safer and cleaner; he has prioritised flood protection and battled for a deal for insurance for residents affected by flooding.

Kieran also underlines his commitment to working for the people of Pembroke South Dock to make Dublin a better city for everyone.

This brief video explains why you should vote Binchy No 1 on Friday, 23 May.

Q: Where did you grow up?

Kieran: I grew up in Charleville, Co. Cork with my sister and two brothers. Growing up in a small town where everyone knew each other and there was a great mixture of people was a brilliant apprencticeship for representing Pembroke-South Dock, which is an exceptionally vibrant and diverse constituency stretching from Grand Canal Dock to Milltown.

I moved to Dublin in 1995 to study Law and French in Trinity and, having studied in France, I caught the travel bug and worked overseas in Morocco, Cuba and Canada for most of my twenties.

Q: How did you get involved in politics?

Kieran: When I came back from Canada, I was taken aback by the ‘Celtic Tiger’, then in full flight. The county seemed to be slightly out of control with the huge property bubble and the banks’ lending policies. People were being told they’d never had it so good but I could see my friends saddled with huge mortgages and yet living miles from where they worked because the property market was so inflated.

Quality of life seemed to have reached a new low despite all the rhetoric from Fianna Fáil that we’d never had it so good. I’m not one to sit on my hands, so I got involved with Fine Gael on the ground in Dublin South East (now Dublin Bay South) and worked towards a change of Government. After that election I worked in Leinster House for a few years and I was co-opted to Senator Catherine Noone’s Council seat in 2011 after her election to the Seanad.

As a barrister, I’ve found my legal training very helpful in terms of being focussed on problem solving and being an effective advocate for the communities I represent. I can bring my problem solving ability to bear when dealing with the issues affecting individuals as their intermediary with the Council and I can bring my advocacy skills to bear when speaking up for the communities of Dublin South Dock at Dublin City Council meetings, e.g. on planning matters, parking, bins, illegal dumping, addressing the issue of derelict sites

Q: Why Pembroke South Dock

Kieran: This is where I live – I live in the Docklands and, as I’ve said, I think this is the most diverse and interesting constituency in the country. In scale, it’s huge, taking in Sandymount, Ringsend, Irishtown, Bath Avenue, Beggars’ Bush, South Docklands, Temple Bar, Christchurch, Aungier Street, Charlemont St, Portobello, Ballsbridge, Merrion, Nutley and Milltown. It is bordered by both the Canal and the Liffey and every area has a distinctive character and an interesting history in the context of the evolution of Dublin as a city.

I’m very passionate about the area because I know it well. I’ve been knocking on the doors here for years, getting to know the people, helping to resolve their issues. I have regular clinics in the area. I am very involved with a number of residents’ associations and, I must say, I get a great satisfaction from seeing the results of my work, especially given the patience needed to make progress in politics.

For example:

• I led the Councillors in introducing a new development plan for the Docklands area, to bring new jobs and communities into the area.
• One of my proudest achievements is that I successfully fought to open up the Grand Canal Marina, which had lain idle for 7 years;
• I supported better cycle lanes and the expansion of Dublin Bikes
• I worked to introduce traffic calming in Portobello and to protect pedestrians at busy junctions
• I believe in better and safer parks and, over the last 3 years, I worked with the Council and the Gardai to tackle anti-social behaviour in Ringsend Park.
• I have worked to protect the Canal as an amenity. And I introduced a Sli na Slainte in Ringsend.
• Flooding has been a problem for many residents. I was on the ground at Bath Avenue in 2011 during the floods, and I have prioritised flood relief works since then. I have also worked with the Council and the OPW to secure a deal on insurance.

Q: What are you hoping to achieve in your next term if you’re successful on 23rd May?

Kieran: I have three key priorities.

1. Transport: we need a coherent and integrated transport system that allows people to get easily from A to B whether that’s on foot, on a bike, on a Luas, Dart or bus.
2. My second priority is planning. Dublin City Council has a huge responsibility in creating and delivering on a vision for Dublin that fosters the vibrancy of new industries and businesses while ensuring that people of every age and families of every combination can live and work in the city if that is their desire. We’ve seen too much of the short term approach and too much thinking in silos instead of a broader vision. I am passionate about the development of Dublin as a city of vibrant neighbourhoods.
3. My third priority relates to the Local Property Tax (LPT). The simple fact of the matter is that the cost of living is higher in Dublin so we need to ease the burden on people where possible by ensuring that services are delivered in teh most cost effective way possible. The Local Property Tax take in Dublin is huge due to the population size and I believe we can afford to reduce the LPT while delivering excellent services. I will be seeking the maximum legal reduction in the LPT if re-elected next term.

Finally, I’d like to say: it has been my privilege to represent Pembroke-South Dock for the last three years. I have worked hard to vindicate the faith placed in me in 2011. I am hoping the people of Pembroke South Dock will renew my mandate on 23rd May.

For more information on Cllr. Kieran Binchy’s election platform please watch his short campaign video: