John Gormley

Green Party Chairman launches campaign in Dublin South East

Green Party Chairman John Gormley TD today launched his general election campaign in Dublin South East with a plea to party activists and voters to ensure that Fianna Fáil and the PDs are ousted from government.

“I know from speaking to delegates at our Convention last weekend that they want Fianna Fáil and the PDs out of government,” said Deputy Gormley. “There is an unquenchable thirst for change in the party.

“Bertie Ahern can’t quite decide whether he’s St Paul or St Augustine. Last year we had his Pauline conversion to socialism, but when it comes to the environment it’s a case of ‘make me green, but not yet Lord’.

“All his plans for the future are in the future. Yes, he’s going to tax SUVs – but after the election. He’s going to introduce smart metering – after the election. At least Bertie now knows what smart metering is. He has the lingo now. He can just about talk the talk. But where’s the action?

“At the last election Fianna Fáil said they had a lot done, but more to do. In relation to the environment they have nothing done and a hell of a lot to do. Look at Dick Roche’s attitude to the higher insulation standards agreed by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown council. Look at the poor recycling facilities in Dublin South East. Then there’s the problem of the sewage treatment plant, the litter in the canal and the proposed incinerator, which Minister McDowell falsely claimed had collapsed. Look at the failure to deal with graffiti and the poor bus services.”

Speech delivered during an adjournment debate in the Dáil today by John Gormley, TD for Dublin South East:

I would like to thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to once again raise the ever increasing problem of graffiti in our city. You may recall, Ceann Comhairle, that at the beginning of the summer I raised this issue in the hope that the Government would take action to deal with the problem, but sadly very little has been done and the complaints from constituents about this problem continue.

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195. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the proposed anti-graffiti pilot project in the Dublin south east constituency; the measures proposed; the areas in which the project will be undertaken; the date on which the project is to commence; the length of the project; the project’s estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23065/06] (more…)

John Gormley raised the issue of graffiti vandalism in the Dáil today. Below is the full text of his speech on the issue.

THE NEED FOR THE MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE TO INTRODUCE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION AND PROGRAMMES TO DEAL WITH THE INCREASING PROBLEM OF GRAFFITI VANDALISM

A Cathaoirleach,

I would like to thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise the issue of graffiti vandalism, a problem which is becoming worse by the day in Dublin city and elsewhere. From previous Parliamentary Questions I have put down on this issue, it would appear that the Government does not have a coherent strategy to deal with this issue. Local authorities are only now becoming aware that there is a serious problem, but they simply do not have the resources or, indeed, the legislation to tackle it properly. (more…)

Deputy Gormley’s speech concerning graffiti vandalism and the Minister for Justice’s response.

 Mr. Gormley: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise the issue of graffiti vandalism, a problem which is becoming worse by the day in Dublin city and elsewhere.  From previous parliamentary questions I put down on this issue, it appears the Government does not have a coherent strategy to deal with this issue.  Local authorities are only now becoming aware that there is a serious problem.  However, they simply do not have the resources or legislation to tackle it properly. (more…)

 Mr. Gormley: I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the series of attacks on Jewish property in the Portobello area where racist graffiti consisting of swastikas and SS signs were sprayed on Jewish landmarks, the fact that this was the third such attack in the last number of months and the need for the Minister for Justice to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice immediately. (more…)

415. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the complaints of anti-social behaviour at night time in the park known as the Cabbage Patch beside the Iveagh Trust complex, Kevin Street, Dublin involving drinking sessions, loud music, lighting fires and various other acts of vandalism; if the Garda Síochána have made an attempt to prevent this taking place or to arrest those involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27441/03]
 
   Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I am familiar with the concerns of residents in the Iveagh Trust complex and I have already raised the issue of anti-social behaviour in this area with the Garda authorities and a number of other bodies.
  I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area is frequently patrolled by foot, particularly by members attached to the community policing unit at Kevin Street. Community gardai have also met with residents in the area and others to discuss policing and security issues including a community based CCTV system.
  I am further informed that complaints of anti social behaviour have been received and swiftly dealt with by the gardaí.  The area is constantly targeted with high visibility policing and the gardaí continue to liaise with different agencies, particularly the local residents association, to allay any fears they may have.  I understand that improvements have become apparent in recent times.
  I am assured that the Gardaí at Kevin Street will continue to ensure high visibility policing for the area and where breaches of the criminal law are detected, appropriate Garda action will follow.  The area will continue to be closely monitored to ensure that adequate resources are deployed, sufficent to deal with its crime exposure and to assuage the fears of local residents.