John Gormley

I raised the issue of the smell from the Ringsend sewage treatment plant – which was bad in the third week of March - at a meeting with the City Manager on Friday last. Matt Twomey, the Assistant City Manager, insisted that the smell problem had been dealt with and that the tenders for the proposed extension were now being finalised. I know from my conversations with the engineers there that this is largely a capacity problem. The plant was actually running at full capacity when it was commissioned. Dick Roche has refused repeatedly to conduct an investigation into how such a fundamental error could occur. This is the same man who wanted an investigation into the Galway drinking water problem – although he seems to have gone quiet on the investigation idea over the weekend. An investigation would reveal a lot about the workings of his department and their role in the drinking water problem not just in Galway but elsewhere. Bad planning is the root cause of these problems, and our Minister for the Environment has allowed this laissez faire planning to continue in the country.

The real solution to the odour problem in Ringsend is to extend the existing plant and to build a series of smaller plants elsewhere in the city. As we have seen first-hand here, the mega engineering solution does not work. In fairness, I recall my former colleague, Cllr Claire Wheeler, making this point at the time.

I also raised the issue of the inadequate protection for the new playgrounds in Ringsend Park. The Manager promised that he would look into this.

Dublin City Council has decided to grant permission for the proposed development at the corner of Upper Leeson Street and Appian Way. As you may know, I joined residents in objecting to this development, on the grounds of its negative impact on the character of the area, traffic and road safety, and the loss of mature trees and green space.

There are a number of conditions attached to this decision, including a requirement to remove two floors of the proposed building, and you can download a copy of the full decision from the link below:

DCC decision on planning application at Leeson Street and Appian Way (TIFF format)

Green Party Chairman and TD for Dublin South East John Gormley has welcomed the announcement that an oral hearing into the proposed incinerator at Poolbeg will go ahead, but has cautioned that a hearing so close to a General Election could turn into a political circus.

Deputy Gormley said: “I’m delighted that we’re finally going to have an oral hearing on the planned incinerator as it will give the local community the chance to put forward the compelling case against the proposal. However, I am concerned about the timing, as the General Election is likely to be held within weeks of the hearing.

“The proximity of the election will encourage all of the candidates in Dublin South East to try and outdo each other in making grandiose statements of opposition to the incinerator, rather than focussing on the planning and environmental case against the proposal. In particular, we can expect the candidates from Fianna Fáil and the PDs to assert their total opposition to an incinerator at Poolbeg, while simultaneously campaigning for the re-election of the Government which is responsible for the proposal in the first place.

“These candidates have done absolutely nothing to reverse the Government policy which has landed the people of Dublin South East with the proposed incinerator, but they will take the opportunity afforded by the oral hearing to paint themselves as the project’s greatest opponents.

“I hope to be proved wrong, but I’m concerned that the very important issues raised in the submissions made to An Bord Pleanála may be overshadowed by electioneering. I trust that the Board’s inspector will not allow him or herself to be sidetracked, but the intense atmosphere of a General Election campaign may not be the best context for a hearing of this importance,” concluded Deputy Gormley.

Dublin City Council has decided to grant permission to the revised plans for development at Sandymount Castle Park. As you may know, I joined residents in objecting to this development, primarily for reasons of traffic and pedestrian safety.

There are a number of conditions attached to this decision, and you can dowload a copy of the full decision from the link below:

Dublin City Council decision on planning application at Sandymount Castle Park (TIFF format)

Dublin City Council has decided to grant permission for the demolition of ‘Dunluce’, 21 Anglesea Road, to be replaced with a 5/6 storey apartment building, comprising 36 apartments.

There are a number of conditions attached to this decision, and a copy of the full decision can be downloaded from the link below.

Dublin City Council decision on planning application at 21 Anglesea Road (TIFF format)

An Bord Pleanála have announced that they will hold an oral hearing into the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road Stadium on 11th December 2006. The hearing will take place from 10am to 5pm in the Gresham Hotel, and any member of the public may attend, although only those who have already made a submission to An Bord Pleanála on the case will be heard.

You can view my own submissions to Dublin City Council and to An Bord Pleanála on the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road below. I will be attending the oral hearing and hope to expand on the issues raised in these submissions.

Submission to Dublin City Council on Lansdowne Road Stadium (15 February 2006)
Submission to An Bord Pleanála on Lansdowne Road Stadium (20 September 2006)

Green Party Chairman and TD for Dublin South East John Gormley has pointed out the potential for a serious conflict of interest created by Minister Dick Roche’s latest appointments to An Bord Pleanála. Minister Roche has appointed Conall Boland, of RPS Ireland, a company which has worked extensively with Dublin City Council on the plans for an incinerator at Poolbeg in Dublin Bay. (more…)

Following a meeting with the developer, Sean Dunne, this evening in the Berkeley Court to discuss his proposals for the development of this key site in the heart of Ballsbridge, Green Party Chairman and TD for Dublin South East John Gormley has raised a number of concerns. Mr Dunne is proposing a major mixed-use scheme incorporating residential, retail and office uses for the site of the Jury’s and Berkeley Court hotels. (more…)

Statement by Green Party Chairman and TD for Dublin South East John Gormley:

“The PD plan for a Manhattan-style skyline on the Poolbeg Peninsula is unrealistic. It ignores a number of crucial factors. (more…)

Dublin City Council are currently drafting a Local Area Plan for Ballsbridge. They have invited submissions from the public in advance of drawing up the draft plan. I made a brief submission to this pre-draft stage, which you can read below.
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