Cllr Oisín Quinn

oisín quinn » news

Local News

1. Dublin - Government & Financial Institutions need to act to reduce Dublin City Centre rents
   Issued : Tuesday 16 March, 2010
   There are 22 vacant units in the Grafton Street area.  This has been caused by retailers closing due to exorbitant rents set during the boom.  Leases have upward only rent reviews and tenants are locked into long leases.  The dramatic economic collapse requires concerted action if the City is not to suffer significant damage.  On the Council we have met with representatives of business in Dublin and we are seeking a meeting with the Landlords who control these rents.  Many of these are financial institutions who have been helped by the public bailout of the banking and financial sector in Ireland.  The Government must act to tackle the problem of 'bubble rents' set based on market conditions during the boom.  The Government could introduce mandatory rent reviews for all significant commercial leases in critical areas.  A thriving City Centre in our Capital City is of 'systemic' importance to our community and economy - so they need to respond.  The recent legislation which only applies to new leases is not enough.
2. Rathgar & Terenure - Water Pressure problems in Rathgar & Terenure continue
   Issued : Wednesday 13 January, 2010
   Remarkably the City is running low on water and some areas have no water supply at the moment.  This situation could continue for a few days but, according to the City Manager, it will be resolved by the weekend (this does raise questions about the City infrastructure - but that's a question for another day).Unfortunately, therefore, if you are currently experiencing a problem allow for the fact that it might go on for the next few days. There is a particular problem in Rathgar & Terenure where due to the drop in water pressure in the system the Council pump isn't operating and many homes have no water - other than what might be left in the household tank.   There are currently (Wednesday evening 13th January) mobile watertankers at Bushy Park and at the junction of Rathgar Ave and Rathgar Road (3rd world stuff I'm afraid).  They will be there until 8pm this evening.  I attach the notice below from the Council which issued in the last few minutes.  There are various contact details below to get in touch with the Council - also please don't hesitate to contact me. It never rains but it pours it seems! Oisín
3. Labour proposes new height strategy for Dublin
   Issued : Saturday 5 December, 2009
   Hi All!  I thought I'd share the news from the Council on the Development Plan.Labour got through a new height strategy on Wednesday night.  FG abstained and FF and People Before Profit played the populist card (surprise surprise). Our proposal is also planning for a successful future for Dublin and a thriving centre which is the most sustainable model.The City Council passed our motion on Wednesday (26 to 18) to build in a new height strategy for Dublin for the next Development Plan which goes out to public consultation on the 22nd December, 2009 for 10 weeks. This draft incentivises development and regeneration in the City Centre, along Mainline-Rail, Metro and Dart lines and in 10 areas designated for height and regeneration.  It does not incentivise height or density in the outer City or along bus or Luas corridors.
4. Draft Dublin City Development Plan available to Download
   Issued : Monday 19 October, 2009
   Cllr. Oisín Quinn has put an electronic copy of the preliminary draft of the next Dublin City Development Plan, 2011-2017 on his public database on Apple's mobileme service.If you would like to download this or discuss the Plan please contact Cllr. Quinn by email at oisin@oisinquinn.ieThis draft can be amended by Cllrs before it goes on public display for 10 weeks at the end of December, 2009.  There will be further public consultation throughout 2010 before the plan comes into effect in March, 2011. 
5. Dublin - Cllr. Quinn calls on Government to adopt "Ceasefire" approach to Gang Crime
   Issued : Friday 25 September, 2009
   Cllr. Oisín Quinn has called on the Government to adopt the 'Ceasefire' plan to tackle gang crime in Dublin.  "We need to look at a wider and new approach to the challenge of dealing with people (usually young men) who are involved in gang crime. Some 60 cities in the United States and now Glasgow have had success adopting an approach called 'Ceasfire' pioneered by an American Professor called David Kennedy", said Cllr. Quinn."Cincinnati tried it and gang related homicides were halved in 2 years.  You basically pull all your resources together and get an accurate picture of every member of these gangs.  You then call them to a meeting and 'Tell them to Stop'.  If anyone in a gang breaks ranks, you hit the whole gang hard.  If they play ball, you work with them on getting jobs and training and so on - working with them to get them to re-engage with society and their local community.  It sounds soft and idealistic, but it's not. And when it has been done properly - it works.  That's why I have made a submission to the Government's White Paper on Crime calling on the Minister to look at this and pilot it in Dublin", said Cllr. Quinn.See below for a full copy of Cllr. Quinn's submission:  
6. Dublin - Cllr. Oisín Quinn launches interactive Map of the 14A Bus Route with Bus Stops
   Issued : Friday 26 June, 2009
   The 14A bus service links Parnell Square to Dundrum Luas station passing through Rathmines.  It is a useful service but potential first time users find it hard to know exactly where the bus goes.  Dublin Bus provides a timetable for its services but has no detailed maps of its routes.   "Since this is my local bus service I thought it would be a good idea to create an interactive map", said Cllr. Quinn.  "These maps also show where each individual bus stop is located".
7. Dublin City Council - Cllr. Oisín Quinn to propose that Cllrs be involved in setting efficiency targets for City Manager
   Issued : Tuesday 23 June, 2009
   The City Council is experiencing a major deterioration in its revenue.  The Government's contribution to the City's finances was reduced last year.  The economic downturn is also affecting income from rates, rents and services.  The collapse in construction and development has hit income from development contributions. "More so than ever, Dubliners and businesses need our services" said Cllr. Quinn.  "Housing, libraries, parks & playgrounds, bin collections, anti-litter and graffit measures are vital services for the City.  If we are to protect our ability to provide these services we must ensure that the City Manager and his team get the most from the resources available to them."
8. Cllr. Oisín Quinn re-elected to Dublin City Council
   Issued : Monday 8 June, 2009
   Cllr. Oisín Quinn was re-elected to Dublin City Council following the local elections held on Friday, 5th June.  He was elected 2nd with 2,530 votes.  Labour also succeeded in taking 3 of the 6 seats with 32% of the vote.  It was a great result for Labour and Pembroke-Rathmines will now be represented by 3 Labour Cllrs, 2 from Fine Gael and 1 from Fianna Fail.  The full result is available on the RTE website  RTE local election coverage 
9. Labour will reform the Public Sector
   Issued : Friday 22 May, 2009
   We know we need economic (taxation reforms and a stimulus plan) reforms but we also need public sector reform. Here's what Eamon Gilmore, TD said about public sector reform at today's IMPACT conference:
10. Dublin City - Labour launches it Local Elections Manifesto 2009
    Issued : Thursday 21 May, 2009
    We will have a brighter future.  Labour is realistic about where we are and has positive ideas for our local communities and urban villages.I am confident that more Labour Cllrs on local authorities will mean better local government and improvements in all our local communities.You can see our Manifesto for the 2009 Local Elections online at this link: Labour's Local Election Manifesto 2009