Since taking office in 2019 my area had more social housing approved for planning than it has in the last three decades. I would continue to work with my colleagues to agree sites and plans that allow substantial living, like we did with Oscar Traynor site which will deliver 853 units over the next 18 months.

As a Dublin City Council candidate deeply committed to addressing the pressing housing needs of our city, I advocate for a pragmatic approach to deliver safe, sustainable homes and communities. While progress is being made with approximately 12,000 homes in the pipeline, urgency is paramount in moving from conception to delivery.

I firmly support the Green Party's policy for public housing on public land, particularly the Cost Rental model (aka the Vienna Model) – this means constructing affordable rental properties on public land, and only charging the cost of construction (removing the profit motive and lowering rents), which ensures affordability and stability for our residents. We must avail of every opportunity to develop social and public housing on publicly owned land.

Additionally, I will work to crackdown on illegal full-time AirBnBs, reclaiming vital housing stock for the people of Dublin. As a party, we have also supported the introduction of a scheme to repurpose space above shops for residential use, a measure that could invigorate commercial districts while easing our housing shortage – we are making this a reality through the existing Croí Connaithe Scheme.

Embracing the Cost Rental model and reinforcing investment in the Housing First programme, will help our most vulnerable receive the support they need. In addition, I will work to allocate additional resources to our council teams tasked with identifying and reclaiming vacant or derelict properties.

I will work towards a housing strategy that meets the needs of all. 

Put pressure on the relevant people to do so. There has been a €1 billion underspend on housing in recent years so spending that money would be a good start.

To address the housing shortage, especially for social and affordable housing, I propose several strategic actions:

• Adopt Proven Models: We need to look at success stories in other cities and implement similar initiatives here. The Vienna Housing model, known for its high-quality, sustainable developments using a cost rental approach, is a prime example. Many residents I’ve spoken to are interested in seeing a similar pilot scheme based on this model in Dublin City. This approach ensures long-term affordability and high living standards.
• Regulation on Investment Fund purchasing property in bulk: It is essential to prevent investment funds from monopolising housing stock. Instead, I propose allowing companies like Ryanair or multinationals with significant staff needs to convert commercial units into staff accommodation, rather than permitting bulk buying of houses or apartments by such organisations. This strategy can help alleviate pressure on the housing market.
• Step-Down Housing: The Council should make a bigger effort to provide step-down housing for individuals looking to downsize but wishing to remain in their community. This can be achieved by repurposing many of the vacant properties within the city, thereby freeing up larger homes for families in need.

By implementing these measures, we can create a more balanced and sustainable housing market in Dublin.

 I am always advocating and raising this important issue with our Housing Managers on Dublin City Council . Fine Gael is making progress in delivering new homes in the local community. Sites such as Bunratty Road, Chanel Manor, Glin Court, Newtown, Hole in the Road, High Park, Cromcastle and Woodville and the Oscar Traynor road lands are all being presently delivered in the Artane Whitehall Ward 

With over 13,000 people now registered homeless, it is more important than ever to have a Housing Policy which will eradicate homelessness, address the number of adults living in their childhood bedrooms and make our city a more inclusive place to live. The building of social and affordable homes is a necessity and if elected I will make this a priority at local level. The lack of housing in our communities is increasing trauma in our children and young people, many of which are growing up in inappropriate hotel rooms. This puts an additional strain on our ineffective mental health supports and causes division across our city. Dublin City Council must build homes that are safe, affordable and fitting for the growing needs of our increasing population.

I will continue to campaign and call for all suitable publicly owned land, including council-owned land, to be activated to provide much needed new social and affordable homes for individuals, couples, and families. The provision of these new homes should be delivered directly by the City Council as well as a new national Sustainable Home Building Agency. No public land suitable for residential development should be privatised.

For far too long and into the present, a neoliberal public-private partnership (PPP) model has been favoured by the City Council executive, which has been fully backed and supported by national government. When I look at how the City Council’s Oscar Traynor Road and O’Devaney Garden sites developed, that model is not fit for the challenges we face, and the struggles people experience as part of the housing crisis: the process is too long and too expensive.

The Housing Land Initiative, of which Oscar Traynor & O’Devaney Gardens were a part, was first proposed by council officials in 2015 yet it took until the end of 2023 before construction commenced on both sites. Eight years! Eight years in which the housing crisis worsened with each passing month, year after year, as more and more families, couples, and individuals struggled to secure an affordable place to call home. This approach is completely unacceptable and must not be used into the future.

In addition to this, however, I believe that before any residential development commences, on a particular site, a serious audit of community, health, education, sports, arts and social facilities and services needs to be conducted to ensure that we are not just providing new homes but creating new communities. The planning system currently does not give enough weight and consideration to the needs of the wider, existing community when appraising planning applications. This needs to end.

We cannot continue to build and build new apartments and houses without ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and facilities are in place to ensure that we are building inclusive, sustainable, friendly, supportive communities.

I will continue to advocate for housing developments such Oscar Traynor Road, Glin Court, Cromcastle & Chanel Manor which are currently being delivered. However, we need to speed up the planning process I am hoping with the implementation of the new Planning Bill making its way through the Oireachtas, will help to speed up the planning process and in turn speed up homes being built.

If elected, I will work with the council to ensure any derelict properties around my area are identified and restored to living standard and added to the housing stock. 

I will work hard to expand supports available to first time buyers and renters, this includes protecting, extending, and expanding the Help to Buy Scheme, the First Home Scheme, and the Vacancy Refurbishment Grants, among others.

Affordable Housing is a huge issue and hopefully a bigger team of Sinn Féin councillors returned to Dublin City Council will carry on the hard work our SF Councillors have been doing on the Council to tackle the housing crisis too. We'd work to deliver affordable purchase homes through the Council and Approved Housing Bodies at prices people can genuinely afford. Local councils and Approved Housing Bodies will deliver the new affordable homes in Sinn Féin’s government plan, on public owned land.

The housing crisis has caused misery for countless people across Dublin Bay North, many people feel trapped paying rip off rents preventing the ability to save up for a deposit to buy their own home. Others are still living at home with their parents and family, unable to afford to move  long after they want to have their own independence. Others feel forced to emigrate because they can’t picture a future here in Ireland. My own son is in this boat where he can see no option but to emigrate because of the disgraceful cost of buying a home here.

Everyone should have the right to a secure and affordable home. A change of government is needed to unravel and reverse decades of bad housing policy. 

Hopefully after the next General Election a Sinn Féin government would take a different approach to Fianna Fáil /Fine Gael and their coalition support. We set out in our 2024 Alternative Budget that a Sinn Féin government would deliver greater investment, increase targets to match demand, cut out red tape which is resulting in delays of up to 2 years before a brick is laid, use new technology to build, speed up planning and introduce changes to tax code to incentivise building of affordable homes.

The Council currently has a strong social and affordable housing pipeline but it needs much more, to significantly reduce social housing waiting lists and support those who are above the social housing income thresholds and need affordable rental of affordable purchase accommodation. I along with my Labour party colleagues would demand a change in the bureaucracy and processes that delay housing development. It's notable that the Land Development Agency don't jump through the same hoops as Dublin City Council does to get hosuing plans and projects shovel ready. It should also be possible to speed up the planning process. It worked when we needed development in the Docklands - we should consider out-of-the-box ideas like that.

The housing crisis has caused untold misery for countless people across Artane and surrounding areas. Many people are struggling paying sky high rents while unable to save up for a deposit to buy their own home. Others are having to live at home with family, putting their lives on hold. Many people feel forced to emigrate to places like Canada, Australia and the US, because they can’t picture a future here in Ireland.

Everyone should have the right to a secure and affordable home. A change of government is needed to unravel and reverse decades of bad housing policy.

By electing a strong team of Sinn Féin councillors will put pressure on the council to tackle the housing crisis too. We'd work to deliver affordable purchase homes through Local Councils and Approved Housing Bodies at prices people can genuinely afford. Local councils and Approved Housing Bodies will deliver the new affordable homes in Sinn Féin’s government plan, on public land.

To increase the supply of social and affordable housing, I will push the government to increase funding and decision-making power to councils as they have a better insight and understanding of local needs. I will campaign for the direct delivery of public housing. I will fight to prevent council-owned land from being sold to private investors. During the 1930s/40s, Ireland was considered a poor country compared to European neighbours, yet Dublin Cooperation, under the guidance of architect Herbert Simms, built 17,000 houses, including Cabra and Crumlin. The houses were of high quality, and services, including schools, churches, and shops, were built at the same time as the houses. We need to bring back this type of visionary politics and the political will to support it to alleviate the current housing shortage.

The housing crisis has caused misery for countless people across the Artane/Whitehall area. Many people feel trapped paying sky high rents while unable to save up for a deposit to buy their own home. Others are living at home with family, putting their lives at home long after they want to have their own independence. Others feel forced to move emigrate because they can’t picture a future here in Ireland.

Everyone should have the right to a secure and affordable home. A change of government is needed to unravel and reverse decades of bad housing policy. 

A Sinn Féin government would take a different approach to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. We set out in our 2024 Alternative Budget that a Sinn Féin government would deliver greater investment, increase targets to match demand, cut out red tape which is resulting in delays of up to 2 years before a brick is laid, use new technology to build, speed up planning and introduce changes to tax code to incentivise building of affordable homes.

A team of Sinn Féin councillors will work hard on the council to tackle the housing crisis too. We'd work to deliver affordable purchase homes through Local Councils and Approved Housing Bodies at prices people can genuinely afford. Local councils and Approved Housing Bodies will deliver the new affordable homes in Sinn Féin’s government plan, on public land.

While the council has no involvement in the private sector, in relation to social housing conditions, maintenance and timely maintenance is key. That's why lat year I brought forward a motion which passed that the council hire at least 50 new apprentices. I will continue to advocate for more direct labour on the council.

Ensuring good-quality standards for housing, especially regarding warmth and energy efficiency, is essential to creating healthy and sustainable communities. As a Dublin City Council candidate, I am committed to elevating these standards across the board. In social housing, this means supporting a significant increase in maintenance budgets, enabling swift resolution of issues like upgrading to double-glazed windows, enhancing insulation, and combating mold problems.

I support initiatives to regenerate and renovate inner-city flat complexes, improving living conditions for residents. By expanding direct labour and apprenticeships within Dublin City Council, we can undertake essential renovations, repairs, and upgrades to social housing. Additionally, the tenant-in-situ scheme, which empowers the council to purchase homes from at-risk private tenants, remains a crucial tool in preventing evictions and ensuring housing security.

I am dedicated to committing resources for the council's private rental inspection team, reinforcing their ability to enforce minimum standards and safeguard tenant rights. By prioritising regular inspections, we can hold landlords accountable and uphold the rights of all renters.

Furthermore, I support for rounded approach to improving housing conditions, recognising the importance of broader civic amenities. Investing in parks and play space not only enhances quality of life but also promotes community cohesion. Particularly in densely populated areas lacking private gardens, these shared green spaces are invaluable for families, as highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My vision for Dublin encompasses not only the enhancement of individual dwellings but also the creation of thriving, inclusive neighbourhoods where every resident can enjoy a safe, comfortable home life.

Social housing should have regular checks to make sure tenants are living to a decent standard of living. Any maintenance work needed socially or privately must be carried out working a certain time frame and not left for months for the issue to get worse.

Improving housing conditions requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Regular Inspections and Support: Increase the frequency of inspections and provide support services to help tenants report issues and ensure landlords maintain their properties. Enhanced enforcement can ensure compliance with housing standards.
• Address Antisocial Behaviour: Antisocial behaviour must be taken seriously as it significantly affects the quality of life in council properties. We need stricter enforcement and support systems to address these issues, ensuring that housing is available to those who will maintain it responsibly.
• Landlord Incentives: Offer financial incentives for landlords who invest in improving their properties. This can include grants or tax breaks for upgrades that enhance living conditions, particularly in older buildings.
• Centralised Maintenance Platform: I will push for a centralised platform to manage maintenance issues in social housing. Many residents have expressed frustration with the long wait times for repairs. A centralised system can streamline requests and improve response times.
• Increase Refuge Spaces: Dublin City Council needs to drastically increase the number of refuge spaces for victims of domestic violence. The lack of adequate refuge spaces forces many victims to endure terrible living conditions or stay in unsafe environments. Poor living conditions are often more profound than just the physical state of housing; they impact overall wellbeing.

These initiatives can significantly improve living conditions for all residents, ensuring safe, healthy, and dignified housing.

I wish to ensure that homes are of the highest standard, well insulated with good heating systems. It is important that the council carries out repairs to properties in a timely fashion. There are a number of voids in my ward which I would like to see renovated and allocated to a constituent on the waiting list.

Housing standards are agreed at a national level and so local government don’t have much power in this however, by working with community groups to support renters, sharing knowledge of grants available for retrofitting and solar panels etc as well as advocating for those who cannot afford such works can improve and empower those in both social and privately rented homes.

I believe that tenants have rights and should receive timely and satisfactory responses to their maintenance requests. Far too often, social housing tenants are left frustrated as their maintenance request is not addressed in a timely manner by their landlord, the City Council, which forces people to contact their local councillor. This should not happen: a tenant should receive by right a timely response to their issues. This should be addressed by establishing an independent complaints body which would be responsible for receiving complaints from social housing tenants and engaging with the City Council as a landlord to ensure issues are resolved in a timely and satisfactory manner.

The rents paid by social housing tenants should be fully spent on the maintenance of social housing and the City Council should move to a more proactive maintenance system rather than the current reactive system that sees requests arise as problems emerge and time wasted as tenants wait to see if their issues will be addressed.

The City Council needs to rapidly recruit more experienced trades people as well as providing more apprenticeships. We need to build up institutional skills, experience, and rely less on the contracting out of maintenance work to private operators.

To improve conditions in the private rental sector, the City Council needs to be fully resourced so it can conduct inspections of at least 25% of the private rental properties in its area on an annual basis and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) needs to be appropriately staffed and resourced so it can deal with each dispute brought to its attention in a timely manner and both bodies need to ensure that they are using all the powers available to them to maintain standards in the sector. Landlords need to know that their properties will be inspected and if any maintenance issues are left unaddressed, that they will face the full regulatory force of the RTB and the City Council.

If elected, I want to ensure that homes are upgraded to the highest standard, with increased funding for retrofitting. I will work with the council to ensure that any works needed to maintain social housing are carried out in a timely manner. 

In terms of the private sector rentals, I am dedicated to exploring a comprehensive array of measures available to local councils, empowering them to take decisive enforcement actions and clamp down on unscrupulous landlords who, whether knowingly or unwittingly, subject their tenants to substandard living conditions, leading to adverse health effects and emotional distress.

I am constantly working with residents in my area who have maintenance problems with their homes, there is a major issue with the general upkeep of properties and since the time I was working as a Councillor from 2016 to 2019 today I have only seen things have gotten worse for tenants in this regard. This has to change.

Sinn Féin has proposed significant increases in Government funding for Councils to maintain, refurbish and retrofit Council homes. This includes a specific fund for local authorities to respond proactively to maintenance issues including windows and doors, damp, mould and leaks. Too often, a small leak becomes a huge problem because it is left for too long. We would work towards every local authority producing a preventative maintenance plan. We would also introduce a regeneration scheme for apartments and flats that are past their lifespan.

People should not have to live in damp, mouldy or unmaintained homes. We would prioritise those homes in greatest need of repair and reduce waiting lists for basic maintenance. 

It is much cheaper and more energy efficient to retrofit and improve existing houses than build new ones. Dublin City Council needs guaranteed rolling finance to retrofit all its social houses. It should also be given the resources and the funding to retrofit private homes so whole streets could be retrofitted and made energy efficient at the same time - this would be more efficient. The government needs to introduce a scheme whereby a portion of the tenants rent is ring-fenced for this retrofitting over a period of 7-10 years - than landlord would benefit through a long term pay-back and the tenant would benefit from lower heating bills. 

I know of many cases in my local area where people are living in harsh conditions, in both social and privately rented accommodation, whether this be waiting for far too long for repairs to be carried out, or mould taking over the property.

We in Sinn Féin have proposed significant increases in Government funding for Councils to maintain, refurbish and retrofit Council homes. This includes a specific fund for local authorities to respond proactively to maintenance issues including windows and doors, damp, mould and leaks. We would work towards every local authority producing a preventative maintenance plan. We would also introduce a regeneration scheme for apartments and flats that are past their lifespan.

People should not have to live in damp, mouldy or unmaintained homes. I would prioritise those homes in greatest need of repair and reduce waiting lists for basic maintenance.

Concerning social housing, I would continue to support the retrofitting of social housing, making them more energy efficient and sustainable. I would work to ensure councils complete effective and efficient maintenance and repairs on behalf of their tenants. Looking at a short-term solution with private rental accommodation is more challenging due to Housing Standards being agreed upon at a national level. However, I would fight to ensure DCC is funded sufficiently to conduct inspections on private properties that receive HAPP payments to ensure accommodation meets the Housing Standards. We need a long-term strategy where the councils should be funded to increase the supply of cost-rental housing where rents are affordable, tenants are secure, and they have the right to demand dwelling maintenance. 

Sinn Féin has proposed significant increases in Government funding for Councils to maintain, refurbish and retrofit Council homes. This includes a specific fund for local authorities to respond proactively to maintenance issues including windows and doors, damp, mould and leaks. Too often, a small leak becomes a huge problem because it is left for too long. We would work towards every local authority producing a preventative maintenance plan. We would also introduce a regeneration scheme for apartments and flats that are past their lifespan.

People should not have to live in damp, mouldy or unmaintained homes. We would prioritise those homes in greatest need of repair and reduce waiting lists for basic maintenance. 

This year in the budget we allocated funds for more dog wardens. This is something I will continue if re-elected.

I have deep roots in our community and work alongside environmental community groups, such as Tidy towns who drive initiatives that reduce our litter, recycle and promote the circular economy. I firmly believe we must involve as many people in the community as possible in order to tackle our waste problem. This can be done through numerous initiatives, for instance Art competitions in schools as part of positive campaigns to make our streets litter free.I have supported family friendly educational programs such as leaf composting so people of all ages in the community learn and are invested in ensuring our shared spaces are kept clean. Recently, I embarked on an innovative pilot project together with the residents of Woodville to introduce 100% recycled plastic planters. These were carefully chosen for their durability and ease of maintenance and had led to a transformation in the landscape.

There are many practical solutions I can carry if returned to the council. My colleague Cllr. Claire Byrne set up the first Dog Waste Committee on Dublin City Council to look at solutions, although progress has been slow though. The focus has been on awareness campaigns, along with trials of audio responses which have been successful. We need to Increase the number of bins in the area and ensure they are placed in suitable locations for litter and dog foul. Additionally, effective signage, enforcement, and fines are essential to curbing this problem. We need to send a signal that its not ok to drop litter and dog waste on the ground. By investing in additional street cleaning resources, we can ensure prompt removal of dog waste, which will aid in creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

Furthermore, I would leverage the recently** **enacted CCTV powers to apprehend dumpers in problematic areas. In addition, I would advocate for the increase of the number of litter wardens to strengthen enforcement measures. Ultimately, I would love to see shared and underground bins for the city, but I think it’s important that we continue to act on other solutions in the meantime.  

Building upon the success of last year's increase in street cleaning staff for the city centre, I propose extending this staff expansion to suburban areas, where similar attention is needed. By enhancing street cleaning services citywide, we can maintain cleanliness and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.

The introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme and the ban on single-use plastic products mark significant strides toward achieving our recycling and reuse targets in Dublin. As a candidate for the Dublin City Council, I fully endorse these initiatives and am committed to furthering our efforts in waste management. Waste needs to be tackled at source, in the first instance.

Expanding the operating hours of recycling centres, including opening them on Sundays, is another step toward making recycling more accessible and convenient for residents. By facilitating increased recycling opportunities, we can encourage greater participation in sustainable waste management practices.

Provide more bins for the rubbish, have more people out more often cleaning the streets like a community cleaning group of some sort and maybe provide dog poo bags and gloves and leave them at certain stations around the city.

Improving city cleanliness involves several key actions:

• Community Engagement: Having worked closely with the local Tidy Towns for the past four years and liaising with business owners, I plan to continue this collaboration if elected. Promoting a cleaner city through greater cohesion and collaboration with local groups and businesses is essential.
• Improved Waste Services: I support the municipalisation of waste services in Dublin City, aiming for more frequent collections on main thoroughfares to reduce the amount of bagged commercial waste left on streets. Long-term, I advocate for the use of underground bin stores to keep footpaths clear.
• Engage the Unemployed: I propose incentivizing long-term unemployed individuals to participate in city cleanliness efforts. This initiative not only improves the city but also helps marginalised individuals gain meaningful engagement and support.
• Enhanced Bin Services: More regular emptying of public litter bins and increasing their capacity where footfall is higher is crucial. Overflowing bins are a common sight in our city and this need to be addressed urgently.
• Green bus stop roofs and pocket parks: Improving biodiversity and greening some additional parts of the city will not only enhance public spaces, but will also improve air quality and promote biodiversity.
• Public Education and Enforcement: Launch public awareness campaigns on proper waste disposal and enforce fines for littering and not picking up after pets. I’ve already initiated discussions with transition year students about environmental issues, which I plan to continue if elected.

These steps can significantly enhance the cleanliness and appeal of our city.

I have asked for more bins in the city so residents can deposit their rubbish instead of littering the streets. For people who are illegally dumping rubbish, more CCTV is required to help bring these offenders to justice. 

I would advocate for more funding and resources to be put into the public domain teams. Cleaning of the city centre is a priority for Dublin City Council but local communities outside of the city need serious attention. Tidy town and community groups across the suburbs have taken up the task of tackling the rubbish and dog fouling in their areas but this is not enough.

Many established and aging communities do not have the resources to tackle this and must be addressed. Dog fouling is an issue for everyone but especially those who are wheelchair users. A city wide campaign and proper incentives for dog owners to pick up after their dogs is a necessity.

There is a real sense since the Covid-19 pandemic that the city, and particularly the city centre, has become a dirtier place. The city’s citizens need to see action being taken on a range of issues that feed into the sense that Dublin is dirty:

For one, we need more public toilets in the city. Our city streets and laneways are being used as loos in the absence of publicly provided toilet facilities. Surely a modern, 21st Century city such as Dublin can manage to provide public toilets for the people of the city and the tourists who visit. To date, this has not happened on a sufficient scale so I will continue to make the call.

Two, every area of the city needs enough of both belly bins and dog poo bins. There are too many areas that currently do not have an appropriate number of such bins, and this often results in overflowing grey bins and dog poo bags being left beside the regular bin.

The street cleaning teams need to be scheduled to clean the streets of the suburbs on a much more regular basis. In the city centre, the City Council needs to maintain the recently increased levels of street cleaning and look to further increase the levels of cleaning into the future.

Rubbish blackspots need to be tackled as quickly as they emerge. Once an area becomes known as a place where people can dump their rubbish, it becomes much more difficult to tackle. The use of CCTV can help but I would like to see attempts made by the City Council to try and understand why some people dump their rubbish illegally and address the problem in a more holistic manner.

I will continue to support the work of the City Council’s Remunicipalisation of Waste Services as I believe the privatisation of waste services in Dublin has been a disaster.

More widely across the city, I would call for the recruitment of more litter and dog wardens across the city who would have the power to impose and enforce on-the-spots fines for people caught casually littering and allowing their dogs to foul the streets.

I will fight to increase penalties to combat illegal dumping, littering, dog dirt (which very few people are prosecuted for in the city) with the use of CCTV and increase number of litter wardens needed. I will work to ensure that general local authority services such as street cleaning and litter picking are increased to improve our community.

Privatisation of our refuse collection and the scaling down of public cleansing services has made the situation much worse in our Beautiful City and Suburbs.However, much can be done to ensure we have a clean environment, including clean streets. The bin services and recycling centres should be brought back into public ownership, as well as public waste services.Other measures I would support include reversing the decrease in the amount of public Litter Bins including additional dog litter bins at crucial locations for dog owners, more street cleaning teams, more signage and public awareness campaigns in relation to dog litter and illegal dumping.

This has to be a two part process - the Council staff need more support, funding and better equipment. They need to be resourced to tackle the problem. Alongside this the local communities and schools need to be encouraged to take care of their area and fix the small issues before they get big. In fairness the Council do a lot with local Residents Associations but little thought is given to helping areas without Residents' Association to start them up and involving the young people in the area. The Council staff are wonderful but there needs to be more of them to manage the situation. We need to remember that it's a culture problem - while not the marjorty, too many people are throwing their litter on the ground and expecting others to clean up after them so perhaps we need to look at increasing the number of litter wardens monitoring our streets and engaging with people.

Dog poo is a particular concern of mine. Never mind the awful situation where poo on a pavement can get on shoes and be brought into houses. The worst is when dogs are free to poo all over playing pitches and parks and kids are then playing right in that poo. We need to create a situation where letting your dog foul an area is as disgusting as humans doing the same thing. Education and enforcement are so important here. It is also community pressure - people should feel that they can call out bad behaviour and say it is unacceptable.

I am particularly interested in the Council funding more sports facilities for local sports clubs - of all kinds.

Dublin should and can be a beautiful city to live, work or visit. However, much can be done to ensure we have a clean environment, including clean streets. I would support the process of bringing bin services back into public ownership, as well as public waste services such as bins and recycling centres.

One of the issues I have encountered while speaking to people at the doors is the need for more bins. I would push for more bins at bus stops, entrances to parks and along streets. I will fight for funding for more dog poo bins to be located at all parks. I would encourage the development of a Pride in our Local Shops area initiative to reduce rubbish around shop units which is an ongoing issue. I will be a strong advocate for bringing waste services back under the control of the Dublin City Council. I will support and push for funding to support resident associations, tidy town committees and business organisations that work to improve local areas. To reduce illegal dumping, I would advocate for a quarterly local waste collection where residents can leave large rubbish items out for general collection.

Dublin can be a beautiful city to live, work or visit. However, much can be done to ensure we have a clean environment, including clean streets. I would support the process of bringing bin services back into public ownership, as well as public waste services such as bins and recycling centres. I would support a regular/consistent street cleaning plan for the Artane/Whitehall area.

The vacant tax grant has improved applications, and last year when the vacant tax office in DCC was struggling I pressed the minister for more resources. I will also again support the increase of the level.

In order to tackle this situation, I would increase the time council spends on logging vacant units, so we are aware of how many there are in an area and their location. By adding eligible buildings to the derelict sites register, we can swiftly move forward with acquisition and revitalisation efforts. These sites have the potential to contribute positively to the community, whether through retail, hospitality, or innovative over-the-shop living arrangements. I would also lobby the council to expedite the release of grants aimed at refurbishing vacant buildings for residential use.

I will advocate for increased resources for city council apprenticeships in housing maintenance. By investing in training and development, we can advance the renovation of council-owned vacant properties, increasing housing availability.

In terms of taxation, I support measures such as the Vacant Homes Tax and the Residential Zoned Land Tax. By incentivising developers to provide housing through these measures, we can stimulate the supply of much-needed accommodation in our city.

I advocate for an all-inclusive approach to community development, emphasising not only housing but also the provision of essential services and opportunities for residents. Projects like community gardens can regenerate underused spaces and create a sense of belonging and connection within our neighbourhoods.

Any vacant homes in our area should be brought back to use as soon as possible and Irish homeless and Irish on waiting lists years should be prioritised and offered these homes before any non-national in the country. Also any derelict home or building owned privately I believe the council should offer to buy them and turn them into suitable homes or apartments and again prioritise Irish homeless and Irish families on long term waiting lists for these properties. Any derelict home or building which is council owned I will advocate for that to be brought back to use as soon as possible to try address the housing shortage.

Tackling vacancy and dereliction requires a strategic approach:

• Repurpose Vacant Properties: Identify and repurpose vacant properties for housing or community use. For example, the Savonnerie Heymans project in Brussels transformed a disused soap factory into sustainable housing, demonstrating the potential for adaptive reuse.
• Tax Incentives and Penalties: Implement tax incentives for rehabilitating vacant buildings and increase penalties for owners who allow properties to remain derelict. This can motivate property owners to either develop or sell underutilized properties.

Encourage and provide supports for more entrepreneurs to set up businesses in the city. Landlords should offer flexible leases. If a property is in a poor visual state and bringing down the general look of the area, the property owner should be ordered to bring the property up to the required standard.

The Dail needs to support the Social Democrats proposal on Vacancy Tax. We need a vacancy tax which will deter owners to leave properties vacant and derelict and one which can be enforced easily. Vacant commercial properties should be given back to the community in order to build much needed community spaces.

To think that in the midst of the worst housing crisis in the state’s history, we have over 188,000 vacant and derelict homes at present in a damning indictment of the political ideology of those who govern.

The best homes are those already built, so we need to tackle vacancy and dereliction with a level of seriousness that to date has been lacking. There are currently too many loopholes which allow owners of vacant and derelict homes and sites to evade their responsibility to bring them back into use quickly. This has to end. The latest of a long line of levies and taxes introduced to encourage vacant and derelict properties and sites back into use, the Residential Land Zone Tax, isn’t fit for purpose and will ensure that vacancy and dereliction continue to blight our society.

The City Council’s Active Land Management Unit needs to be resources and empowered to take action on properties on the Vacant Sites Register and the Derelict Sites Register.

So, the Department of Housing needs to sustain funding to the City Council so it can continue to identify and acquire long term vacant and derelict properties under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).

The use of Compulsory Rental Orders, Compulsory Sales Orders and Compulsory Purchase Orders should all be used. Every measure and lever we have needs to be activated to ensure that the artificial housing scarcity created by property owners leaving their assets vacant and derelict ends.

To ensure that the City Council is taking action on its own vacant units, known as voids, of which there are approximately 500 at present, the Department of Housing needs to stop messing around and guarantee the appropriate level of funding each year to allow the council to bring the voids back into use as many homes as quickly as possible as a month by month basis.

I think the new Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a good start, which can provide up to a maximum of €50,000 in grant funding is available to support the refurbishment of a vacant property into a home. Where the property is confirmed as derelict, up to a maximum of €70,000 in grant funding is available. I will work with DCC to ensure these grants are reviewed and granted in a timely manner, so houses can be delivered much faster than they are currently. 

For social housing which become vacant, I would work with the council to see how we can have the renovation works carried out on the property complete a lot faster than what the current turn around is. This would be the same on derelict properties which have Compulsory orders on, they are taking too long to become available. 

There are far too many vacant and derelict properties in our capital city, including in Dublin Bay North. Many of these homes are lying idle for years. There should be no vacant properties left to rot while we have a spiralling housing crisis- properties that could be transformed into homes for our families and young generations.

Sinn Féin would encourage local authorities to Compulsory Purchase, where practical, and return to use derelict properties alongside increased utilisation of the Buy and Renew scheme. We would also request monthly updates to increase the collection of the Derelict Sites Levy and to speed up the return of vacant social homes.

Generally, houses don’t go vacant or derelict through badness or carelessness. Often they go that way because it is too expensive for their owners to do anything with them. We have various schemes whereby the owners can get funding to repair the house and and once habitable it is leased to the Council realising a long term income for the owner. However, too few take up this scheme so we need to promote to better. We have started acquiring buildings and adapting them for residential use - we need significantly more resources to increase our capacity to do this as it could really transform our city, get more people living in the city and make it an attractive vibrant place again. The only organisation that can realistically achieve this is the Local Government - it just needs the political will. at national level.

In my area there are many would-be homes left in vacant and dilapidated states, many of these left idle for many years. This brings a further blight on communities in my area and across the city.

We in Sinn Féin would encourage the councils to compulsory purchase these properties and give them a new lease of life, increasing the housing stock available. We would also seek monthly updates to increase the collection of the Derelict Sites Levy, and speed up the return of vacant back on stream.

The amount of vacant houses I have passed in my local area is shocking when we consider the current housing crisis. I would advocate for the government to increase the power and level of resources to the City Council's Active Land Management Unit so that they can take action on properties on the vacant and derelict sites register. If bus connects can use compulsory purchase orders on local residents to build infrastructure, then the government must support the City Council to enforce Compulsory Purchase orders on vacant and derelict houses and sites. I would advocate for legislation at the national level to empower City Councils to force property owners to maintain sites so that they do not become an eyesore for the local community. 

There are far too many vacant and derelict properties in our capital city, including in Coolock. Many of these homes are lying idle for years. Some are being left to rot, becoming derelict and a further blight on our communities. 

Sinn Féin would encourage local authorities to Compulsory Purchase, where practical, and return to use derelict properties alongside increased utilisation of the Buy and Renew scheme. We would also request monthly updates to increase the collection of the Derelict Sites Levy and to speed up the return of vacant social homes.

We need a directly elected mayor with community policing power. However I will continue to support the DCC women committee to increase safety in the city and continue to work on better street lighting.

Everyone in our area deserves to feel safe. I believe in working with communities, Dublin City Council and the Gardai to deliver real solutions. In the short run, the priority is a greater on-street Garda presence. Councillors don’t have direct powers over policing, but we can highlight areas where more resources are needed. I will use the Joint Policing meetings to keep informed of the crime incidents in the area and raise the concerns brought to me by the residents.

Policing alone can’t solve our safety problems, however. In the medium-term, we need to support a variety of community projects, to divert people away from crime and anti -social behaviour. We have seen how youth projects and environmental projects have turned unused, unsafe spaces into a thriving space for all.

Investing and supporting Garda Youth Diversion Programme will also assist, by providing more space for young people and improving youth work supports. They provide activities, guidance, social outlets and daily ensure that young people’s lives aren’t lost to chaotic behaviour and crime.

We can also make our communities ‘safer by design’. I will continue to work on improving lighting, fix pavements and run safety audits on local streets. I believe by running more events within the community will assist in creating a feeling of safety & inclusivity within the community. Locally I have been involved in setting up inclusive live theatre across our parks, Junior Park runs, family fun days and a variety of outdoor activities. Rethinking spaces and creating more mix use will also help contribute to a liveable neighbourhood. I have championed collaborative efforts to establish new artist spaces in Artane place.

Road safety is also an increasingly important part of the Council’s role in protecting people. I want to ensure that everyone feels safe walking, cycling, relaxing, socialising, exercising, and enjoying themselves. We can do this through lowering speed limits, building more cycle lanes and pedestrianizing areas.

Increased Garda presence where needed. Even local community groups patrolling areas during the day or the evenings, anything to keep our area safe.

Improving safety in the city involves multiple strategies:

• Increased Garda Presence: A greater Garda presence and a focused effort on tackling antisocial behaviour are essential. We also need tougher sentencing and adequate prison capacity to deter criminal behaviour. However, we also need to improve rehabilitation programs in prisons to educate and support offenders, with a view to reducing the level of reoffending.
• Paid Garda Reserves: Consider paying Garda reserves and utilise them to support day-to-day policing. This can provide additional manpower without overburdening the existing force.
• Community Engagement: Promote community policing initiatives, increase CCTV coverage in hotspots, and improve street lighting to deter criminal activities.
• Create third spaces for young people: We need to have safe places where young people can relax and connect with others so they don’t feel the only place they can go are antisocial spots where people may feel intimidated or threatened.

More gardaí on the streets, increase the garda visbility. Gardaí to be given more power so that they can actually do their job. Prison sentences to be increased for violent offenders.

Everyone agrees that we need an increase in Gardai on our streets. This however is not the only thing needed to make our city feel safe. Adequate lighting, a more pedestrianised city and an increase in public transport would make our city feel safer.

I believe that Dublin is a grossly unequal city in terms of income, wealth, power and influence and all that flows from that like housing, education, employment, community investment and infrastructure. The Spirit Level research on inequality shows that for many health and social problems - physical health, mental health, drug abuse, education, imprisonment, social mobility, trust and community life, violence, and child well-being - outcomes are significantly worse in more unequal rich countries.

Ireland is a rich, unequal country with poor public services and outcomes. If, as a society, we tackled the underlying causes of inequality, I feel that we would have a much happier, safer city.

Increased number of Gardai are needed on the streets; We have improved visibility in Dublin City, but this needs to be increased further and we need to increase resources of community Gardai. I will look to implement community policing programmes that foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community such as the joint policing committees and neighbourhood watch, ensuring collaboration and information-sharing to prevent crime.

Everyone and our communities deserve to feel safe and protected. But too many people in our capital city feel unsafe. Sinn Féin have outlined our proposals to invest in the Gardaí, so we can have more Gardaí on our streets protecting communities. We would introduce a public transport policing unit to ensure people can feel safe while using public transport. We would get to grips with the recruitment and retention crisis in the Gardaí to end the huge numbers resigning.

There are four solutions - the first is the renewal of the public spaces with lighting and more pedestrian spaces and the renewal of vacant and derelict buildings.  The second is  the licensing of move events in the city centre with more road space given over to activities and festivals. Alongside this - there must be transport to and from the venues for families and individuals. The more people there are living and moving around the city the safer it will feel and the safer it will be. Combined these give people a desire to be in the city and come into the city.

The third is the on the ground presence of Gardaí. The Gardaí work immensely hard for us and do a wonderful job. They need more members and more resources to provide the local policing that is based on a street and a locality. People should be able to know a Garda and know that they will be there tomorrow and the day after that. This is a job for National Government but the Council can lobby strongly for this.

Finally we need to invest in local community amenities, facilities and local youth groups and clubs - so many young people have no where to hang out, to get together with their mates, to knock around a ball or sit and play online games together. We need to invest in such spaces and in more youth leaders and organisers.

People in my community have the right to feel safe and protected. Far too many people in our city feel unsafe. We in Sinn Féin have set out our plans to invest in An Garda Síochana, so that we can have more Gardaí on the beat protecting our communities. We would call for a public transport policing unit to tackle fears and anti-social behaviour on our public transport. We would also get to grips with the recruitment and retention crisis within the Gardaí.

High visibility of the Gardai in the city is essential; it will require increasing recruitment and securing their retention, which is a government issue but something I will advocate for. From a council perspective, more power needs to be brought to the Joint Policing Committees as they consult with local community organisations and understand the policing requirements at a local level while securing levels of gardai allocated to community policing. 

Communities deserve to feel safe and protected. But too many people in our capital city feel unsafe. Sinn Féin have outlined our proposals to invest in the Gardaí, so we can have more Gardaí on our streets protecting communities. We would introduce a public transport policing unit to ensure people can feel safe while using public transport. We would get to grips with the recruitment and retention crisis in the Gardaí to end the huge numbers resigning. We need higher visibility policing in the Artane/Whitehall area. We need older people to feel safe in their own homes. 

More light rail in the city. We need user-friendly public transport. I want to see my proposal for a tram line from Northwood to Harmonstown Station approved.

Unfortunately, councillors don’t have a lot of power regarding major public transport project, as public transport is essentially the responsibility of the NTA. However, we do have some control over our roads and footpaths and how we use them. This is why I advocate for projects such s bus connects, increasing in walking and cycling infrastructure. These will free up road space and provide options. In some cases, you may be able to avail of public transport instead of a car or there many be days when you or your child can cycle to your destination. I am actively working with my Green party colleagues to increase the number of protected cycle lanes so that safety is not a barrier.

We need to see public transport improvements delivered quickly so that we can benefit from more frequent, reliable services. I would strongly support the council using cameras to detect red light breakers and illegal bus lane users, to make public transport flow more smoothly. This sort of work would also work best with improved provision of disabled parking spaces and commercial loading bays.

Improved accessibility of our buses and trains is also key, so that public transport can be an option for everyone, especially older people, people with disabilities, and those travelling with children in buggies. It is particularly important to have winter maintenance plans in place so that we can prioritise the movement of public transport during extreme weather events rather than focusing on the movement of private cars.

The Greens nationally have made public transport a priority and funded major projects everywhere, while cutting fares by 20% for adults and 60% for young people. Public transport use grew by 25% last year alone, which shows the value of investment.

More money and resources given to the National Transport Authority to do what needs to be done.

Enhancing public transport involves several key actions:

• Expand and Modernise Services: With current technology, public transport systems should be reliable and efficient. We need a smart system that provides real-time updates and addresses the issue of buses appearing on digital displays but not showing up.
• Address Overcapacity: Councillors should liaise with Dublin Bus to address buses operating beyond capacity during peak times. A reliable bus service is crucial for commuters and people should not be left out in the cold waiting for a bus that never appears, or when it does appear, it has no room!
• Affordability and Accessibility: Ensure public transport is affordable and accessible, particularly in underserved areas, through subsidies or fare adjustments.

More buses operating during peak times and better bus routes devised. A light rail system to be implemented for the northside of Dublin.

I don’t drive or cycle so depend on public transport as do so many across the city. We need more 24 hour public transport, to battle anti-social behaviour and less ghost busses (those busses that don’t turn up as advertised). Unfortunately though, the power lies with the National Transport Agency.

We need to prioritise public transport over private car usage. This major modal shift requires major investment in public transport to ensure it is affordable and dependable.

This means providing more road space for buses, less for cars. We need to implement and enforce 24-hour bus lanes and reduce the availability of car parking spaces for private vehicles. However, in order for people to leave their car at home and choose public transport instead, the capacity, frequency, reliability and quality of public transport has to increase. For example, for people living in suburban areas, far too often they are left waiting at a bus stop as their bus to work, college, an appointment etc, disappears off the Real Time Passenger Information screen. This erodes trust in public transport.

So we need to ensure that Dublin Bus, which carried nearly half of all public transport journeys in 2023 - 145 million passenger journeys - is appropriately resourced and staffed as it will play a leading role in the transformative shift required which sees public transport becoming the dominant mode of transport in the city.

Quick wins: introduce a contactless payment system as soon as possible. Stop the privatisation of bus routes.

We need a clear plan, working with the communities that use public transport regularly. We need to push on and build the Metro but with the least impact to residents as possible, within reason. A review of busy bus routes is needed, to increase the frequency. Enhancing the availability of real-time information on schedules, routes, and service disruptions through mobile apps, digital displays at stops, and online platforms to improve passenger convenience and reliability is also key. I will work with transport providers to ensure that this becomes a reality.

The part privatisation of our Public Transport is detrimental to our transport network, we need to keep our transport in public ownership which will ensure it is made to measure for Dublin and it`s Citizens while also being affordable , reliable ,sustainable and practical , like many of the successful public transport systems in other Cities around Europe.

Road safety and accessible transport are at the heart of ensuring people can live, work and play safely in their communities. 2023 saw the highest number of deaths on our roads in almost a decade. Dublin ranked worst, in public transport, of 30 European Cities in 2023. It’s time for change.

We recognise that many children cannot safely access school without relying on a lift from parents. This can be a barrier to parents but it also reduces young people’s independence. In government we would increase funding to make getting to school safe.

There is a really strong plan in place for the improvement in public transport in the city. Bus Connects alongside the improvements in the LUAS and DART services will do an amazing job to keep Dubliners moving. People need to pause and give Bus connects a chance to happen before discounting it or fighting it.  From a public infrastructure perspective we need investment to ensure all bus stops have good lighting and shelter spaces and real time information - this supports females in particular to feel safe when taking public transport outside day light hours. Our public transport also needs to be fully reliable so people can really depend on it to get them to where they want to go in time.

Road safety and accessible transport are imperative to ensuring people can live, work and socialise in our city. In 2023, we saw the highest number of road deaths in almost a decade.

In a survey of 30 European cities, Dublin ranked worst, in terms of public transport. It is time for change.

We in Sinn Féin recognise that many children cannot safely get to and from school without relying on a lift from parents. This is a barrier to parents but it also reduces the independence given to children and young people. In government, Sinn Féin would increase funding to ensure getting to and from school is safer and more accessible.

More investment is a starting point; this is a national-level issue but something that I would fight for. Consult with people living in the area and those using the transport to ensure any changes are actual improvements. Increasing levels of safety on public transport by having transport police. Speed up the process for the development of the metrolink. Ensure all stops have shelters, especially considering that bus connects will require higher rates of bus changes to get to destinations. Make public transport universally accessible to all. Develop small local link buses to collect in large estates. These things need to be done, but most are outside the remit of a councillor. However, I believe a councillor's job is to bridge the community and the national government, and I will bring transport issues the community identifies to national attention.

Road safety and accessible transport are at the heart of ensuring people can live, work and play safely in their communities. 2023 saw the highest number of deaths on our roads in almost a decade. Dublin ranked worst, in public transport, of 30 European Cities in 2023. It’s time for change.

We need to focus on light rail transport there has been huge investment in cycle lanes over the last five years.

We are already being to see big changes in our area regarding walking and cycling infrastructure due to the increase of funding provided by the Greens in government as well as myself and my fellow councillors pushing projects. I will continue to campaign for segregated cycling lanes ensuring we all feel safe choosing a bike as a mode of transport. These lanes will increase cyclist safety and lower the number of accidents on the road. This should be done as part of a network, not just small bits of unconnected lanes, and be safe enough for everyone from young children to pensioners to be able to use with confidence. These cycle lanes should be segregated by a small kerb at the very least – not just a white line. That’s especially important near schools. This work will be politically difficult - it will need the backing of dedicated councillors who strongly believe in the cycling and walking agenda.

I will support “bike parks”, converting a small area in a car park for free, secure bike parking, particularly near transport hubs, as well as “Bike Bunkers” and look forward to supporting residents in getting them installed on their streets over the next few years.

We also need zebra crossings at minor junctions, to provide for pedestrian priority, alongside safer crossing points – we’ve worked to secure a reduction in the cost of installing such crossings so that they can be used much more. That, combined with improved and widened footpaths would really improve things for pedestrians - particularly those who need extra time or space. We need to ensure that temporary works do not cut off access to cycleways and footpaths. I will also push for lighting that is “human scale” directed at footpaths instead of towards carriageways, often leaving our paths in near darkness. Benches are also key to ensure that people who are walking can get a rest.

Many of the lights in our junctions at busy periods heavily prioritise cars - at the expense of people walking. You will see hundreds of pedestrians forced to wait for car traffic to pass, which inexplicably enjoys more time. I want junction timing that prioritises disabled people, pedestrians, bikes, public transport - in that order.

I will also champion the introduction of annual car-free days in specific areas, to enable local markets and festivals, supporting communities that want car-free neighbourhoods. The DCC Greens have been very vocal when advocating for a movement towards to 30km/h zones as a default, especially in areas with housing and schools. I will prioritise investing in making roads safer to protect motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and reduce crashes. I will push for infrastructural improvements to tackle speeding and ensure that roads are designed to prioritise road safety, particularly that of children and other vulnerable road users.

Funding to make footpaths more smoother and secure for everyone to walk on and more secure locking stations for bicycles to stop them being stolen.

Improving pedestrian and cyclist safety involves:

• Dedicated Pathways: Develop and maintain dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian pathways that are safe and separated from vehicle traffic. Cycle routes should be pragmatic and cater to actual usage patterns instead of putting cycle lanes everywhere, resulting in expenditure on cycle lanes where there is no significant demand.
• Mandatory Bike Bells: Make bike bells mandatory to enhance safety on shared paths. Better regulation of e-scooters is also necessary to ensure safety for all users.
• Traffic Calming Measures: Implement traffic calming measures and incentivize carpooling to reduce congestion and improve safety.

More protected cycle lanes around the city to ensure that cyclists are safe. Cyclists should not be breaking the lights however and should be fined if doing so. E-scooters should not be operating on the footpaths and offenders should be prosecuted.

Funding needs to go into fixing footpaths and making our city not only more pedestrian friendly but accessible for people with disabilities. An increased Garda presence will assist us in making the city feel safer and reduce anti-social behaviour. Increased safe, secure bike parking is also a necessity in making our city a nicer place to be.

If we see a much-improved public transport system, there will be an inevitable decrease in the number of cars on the road. Not only will this have a massive benefit in terms of space on the road, but it will result in the reduction of carbon emissions and crucially noise pollution.

Walking, wheeling, and cycling through the city can feel like a hostile activity a lot of the time so in conjunction with an improved public transport system, with less private cars taking up so much space, the opportunity to provide new active travel infrastructure presents itself. The Active Travel Network has done excellent work to date and I would continue to support its work, as it aims to connect all people through the delivery of a walk-wheel-cycle network which will be achieved by improving connectivity and sustainable mobility with the objective of expanding the existing 10km network to a connected network of 310km across the city.

As this active travel network is expanding and spreading to every part of the city, the city needs and people really want to see more public benches, water fountains and public toilets. For people with restricted mobility, the widening and decluttering of footpaths is crucial, and any additional requirements needed by people with disabilities should be provided after proper consultation with those directly impacted.

Alongside these basic facilities, the City Council needs to encourage more tree planting and biodiversity. There is a stark inequality in the distribution of canopy cover in the city and sometimes walking through parts of the city on a sunny day is tough when you are surrounded by nothing but concrete. More greenery, a place to sit and rest, somewhere to refill your water bottle and somewhere to pee will encourage more walking around the city.

The increase in dog and litter wardens mentioned above in the answer to Question 3 will also help.

In terms of by foot, I will fight for funding to upgrade footpaths which have been uprooted by trees and weather erosion, ample lighting to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians, particularly in high-traffic areas and near public transport hubs. We need to ensure our footpaths are well maintained especially in Autumn when the leaves fall. I support improvement to safer cycle lanes, but this should not be at the expense of causing a dramatic negative impact to traffic, like what we see on Griffith Avenue. We need a clear plan, designed by people who cycle the routes. We need to maintain our cycle lanes and have them clearly marked. We see too often bike lanes covered in leaves, rubbish, and uneven surfaces, which forces cyclists to use the main road or paths.

We need to implement more traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps on roads, so pedestrian’s feel safe while walking or cycling around our city.  

Road safety and accessible transport are at the heart of ensuring people can live, work and play safely in their communities. 2023 saw the highest number of deaths on our roads in almost a decade. Dublin ranked worst, in public transport, of 30 European Cities in 2023. It’s time for change.

We recognise that many children cannot safely access school without relying on a lift from parents. This can be a barrier to parents but it also reduces young people’s independence. In government we would increase funding to make getting to school safe.

Ensuring more active travel, such as cycling and walking, will be a key way to tackle the climate crisis. In order to ensure this is realistic, people must feel confident that they can do so safely.

We support auditing all footpaths and putting in place a programme of footpath restoration so everyone can walk and move around their local area confidently.

The balance is key here. Those that can cycle should be encouraged to cycle. Those that cannot should not be punished, balance. To protect pedestrians - the pavement should be protected - no cars! To protect cyclists there should be segregated cycle lanes - everywhere there can be. But in return - cyclists and pedestrians must respect other road users and mind the traffic lights as well. We also need more cycle parking racks locally for people who go about their general business by bike as opposed to those who commute in and out of the city.

Ensuring more access to active travel such as cycling and walking, would play a key role in tackling the climate crisis. In order to make this realistic, people need to feel safe doing it.

I support an audit of all footpaths and putting in place a programme of footpath restoration so everyone can move around their area with confidence.

Taking to people at the doors, one of the biggest issues that needs to be addressed is the condition of footpaths; cracks and bumps make it difficult for people with mobility issues to move around. The council has insufficient funds to ensure adequate maintenance of footpaths, so I will advocate for increased funding levels to ensure universal mobility for all. Another issue is the increased use of electric bikes and scooters driven on footpaths, yet again the government has not kept up with advances in technology and needs to introduce legislation making it illegal to drive electric vehicles of any kind on footpaths, along with a minimum age for driving electric vehicles.

We recognise that many children cannot safely access school without relying on a lift from parents. This can be a barrier to parents but it also reduces young people’s independence. In government we would increase funding to make getting to school safe. Ensuring more active travel, such as cycling and walking, will be a key way to tackle the climate crisis. In order to ensure this is realistic, people must feel confident that they can do so safely. We support auditing all footpaths and putting in place a programme of footpath restoration ensuring older people and people with disabilities can walk and move around their local area confidently.

The council is working on more community activities and I have asked for a diversity event in Whitehall which will take place in Q3 2024.

The rise of hateful, xenophobic and homophobic politics is a very unwelcome development. It’s a go-nowhere ideology, based on constructed grievances and intolerance, largely imported from other politics. It’s not my worldview, nor that of my party, and I will always stand up for a welcoming, inclusive, and kind Dublin. Politicians should not indulge these kind of politics, but rather stand clearly against them. While our formal powers over these areas are limited, councillors can use our platforms to speak up against them. Across Europe, we have seen attempts to combat the rise of the far-right and anti-immigrant hate by adopting a more moderate version of their positions – this has inevitably failed and only fed their false and divisive narratives. Rather than adopting the same failed approaches we need to tackle the issues leading to the fears and subsequent hatred.

We need greater cooperation and support between Councils and civil society groups working with minorities. I will ensure that all Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs) are fully staffed and can help to welcome new arrivals into our communities, including extra resourcing in counties with large numbers of Ukrainians and International Protection applicants. I will ensure that the council has a has a local migrant integration strategy, including the use of our council buildings to celebrate our diversity, including World Refugee Day.

We also need to address the structural inequalities of our communities, which are an injustice in themselves, but also a breeding ground for discontent. This means improving housing, supporting young people, access to justice for individuals and communities, enhanced school supports, and wraparound supports for everyone impacted by homelessness.

In my opinion there is no far right in this country just concerned parents who are genuinely afraid for their safety and for that of their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and future generations of their families.

People are not anti-immigration, we just want a proper structure in place for coming into this country. I have no problem with genuine refugees or asylum seekers. But the current immigration policy is not sustainable.

I do not have a problem with the LGBTQ+ community, I have a problem with it being taught to my children and being pushed on kids and being introduced to the school curriculum. Whatever you do at home is your own business and up to you.

And in regards to the arson attacks I believe they are carried out by left-wing supporters to blame the right and make them look bad and label them every name under the sun when they are just concerned parents.

Countering hate and promoting inclusivity requires a comprehensive and balanced approach:

• Education Campaigns to Promote Understanding and Tolerance: Launch educational initiatives that highlight the positive contributions of diverse groups, including immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. Increase international and cultural events in Dublin to showcase the city's diversity, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
• Appropriate Resource Allocation to Prioritise Residents' Needs: Ensure that the needs of current residents are met first by allocating sufficient resources for housing, healthcare, and education. Recognise that resource shortages are a concern and advocate for appropriate measures to manage any influx of newcomers to prevent further strain on essential services.
• Equitable Distribution: Implement balanced policies that ensure newcomers also receive support without detracting from existing residents' resources. This includes more careful planning and adequate funding to address the increased demand.
• Integration Programs and Comprehensive Support Initiatives: Establish structured, government-supported programs that provide comprehensive support for asylum seekers, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community. Ensure access to necessary services such as language courses, job training, and legal assistance to facilitate successful integration.
• Community Involvement: Encourage initiatives like Tidy Towns while emphasising the need for structured programs that do not rely solely on volunteers. Foster integration and community support through both government and community-led efforts.
• Support Services for Victims and Legal Measures: Provide robust support services for victims of hate crimes, including legal aid, counselling, and protection. Ensure victims and survivors have access to the necessary resources for their safety and well-being.
• Strict Penalties and Rehabilitation: Enforce strict penalties against perpetrators of hate crimes while offering educational and rehabilitation programs to reduce reoffenses. This dual approach ensures justice and promotes long-term behavioral change.

By implementing these strategies, we can create a more inclusive, safe, and supportive environment for all residents of Dublin. This approach addresses both immediate needs and long-term integration goals while respecting the valid concerns of our community.

More education and discussion is needed in this area.

I think we need to be careful when using the term “Far-Right”, this along with the criminal element absolutely exists but it is ordinary working class people who are struggling due to the cost of living, housing and health care crisis who are coming to the streets to protest against immigration. To address this, we need to have better consultation with the communities affected, adequately resource these communities and address the needs of these communities which have been ignored for far too long.

If we can access housing, healthcare and community facilities we are much less likely to see communities coming out in their hundreds to protest against helping those in need. The far-right are playing on the fears and concerns of these communities and so work is needed to empower and engage the communities.

I would continue my involvement with grassroots community groups that work to ensure people seeking safety in the city feel welcome and supported, groups which challenge the misinformation and disinformation spread by the far right online by engaging with family, friends and the wider community.

These community groups are filled with the same people who week in, week out are fighting for more social and affordable housing in the city, more investment in community and sports facilities, who are involved in campaigns for new schools, more school places, additional supports for children with extra needs. I have never seen any far right head campaign on any of these issues yet they wave a flag and talk about standing up for Ireland.

What they’re really doing is standing up for the wealthy, powerful elite in Ireland who benefit from the housing and health crises we endure. The vicious politics of the far right seeks to divide people, to point the finger of blame for society’s problems at minority groups.

So I will continue to stand with the working class of Dublin, the LGBTQ+ community, with those people fleeing war, oppression and hardship in other parts of the world who arrive on this island seeking safety and a better life. In the words of Martin Luther King Junior, “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture of their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”

Divided by hate and fear, we fall. United, we can build a better world.

We need a zero-tolerance approach in addressing this kind of behaviour.

I believe in encouraging a culture of inclusivity and celebrating diversity in our city. As a community, we need to actively promote acceptance, and respect for all individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, or immigration status. I will support increased investment in our community youth services, support networks for immigrants, LGBTQ+ and Asylum Seekers, providing them with essential resources needed, such as mental health support, legal assistance, and healthcare. More education and clear communication are also needed. 

People in Dublin Bay North have a lot of genuine concerns and we have encountered them all, we have listened and taken note during this election campaign while knocking on their doors, Sinn Fèin will be addressing these concerns when we become the biggest group on the next Dublin City Council.

On the Council I will be a voice for a fair, equal and diverse society. Everyone just wants to get on with their lives and all sections of our communities must be able to feel safe and included. Arson attacks on accommodation for asylum seekers have no place in our society and I condemn these attacks. 

Not everyone who has concerns about people coming to Ireland is far right. The far right are using their concerns to whip up hate.  We have also had migration and indeed our hospitals, shops and the hospitality industry would not function without migrant workers. I am in favour of Ireland supporting those who seek our refuge and protection from harm. We should have clear streamlined processes in place to manage their applications. We should enable those people to use their skills and contribute to the workforce as soon as possible. Systems like direct provision do very little to help anyone and create division. I would suggest a new model where people who come to Ireland are supported into work and supported into accommodation not as a handout but as a welcome handshake.  

I will be a voice for a fair, equal and a diverse society. Everyone in our communities must be able to feel safe and included. Arson attacks on would be accommodation for asylum seekers is wrong and must be condemned.

I would promote inclusion, diversity and equity in all DCC-supported initiatives. I would use DCC communication to encourage inclusion, diversity and equity education. I would support organisations that aim to educate and work with communities to address misinformation that results in misdirected anger. I would promote our libraries as areas where members of the public can access information that is factual and correct. I would support DCC in growing community events celebrating differences and embracing cultures. I would work with communities to ensure they feel consulted, connected and listened to. 

I will be a voice for a fair, equal and diverse society. All sections of our communities must be able to feel safe and included. Arson attacks on accommodation for asylum seekers have no place in our society and I condemn these attacks.