If elected to Fingal County Council I would work with my colleagues from across the political spectrum and council management to maximise the use of public land for social and affordable housing.
We must have strong local councils who understand the needs of the local area in terms of housing and can feed that into, what I hope, will be a Sinn Fein government after the next general election.

Continue to support the Fingal County Council executive by voting to support developments that are put before us, as opposed to other parties who always seem to find a reason to be in favour of housing but still vote no.

The approach to housing has changed a lot in Fingal in the last five years. The council are now purchasing sites and building. A good example of this is the land in the Mooretown area off the Rathbeale Road, in Swords. The council bought the land and within 12 months had a design in place for delivering homes. These lands have sat there undeveloped despite being earmarked for development 15 years before. I strongly support the council doing this and providing social, affordable, cost-rental, and private purchase properties in a mixed-tenure approach for all large developments.

I also support the council’s efforts to build out sites within the existing footprint of the town. This is essential for people looking to downsize and to place new residents near amenities.

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.

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.

Firstly, our stated goal of 250,000 homes over the next five years will require doing everything we can to make more land available for construction and to ramp up capacity.

Swords is one of the youngest and fastest-growing regions in Ireland. It's vital that we continue to build more homes of different kinds to suit the demand out there. People want to be able to buy their own home locally and enabling home-ownership for all must be our priority.

One of my key areas of focus is the development of purpose-built affordable housing, in bulk, in the Swords area; similar to what has been delivered elsewhere in Fingal. I have already asked Fingal County Council to buy over vacant land and build housing developments that include a significant amount of affordable homes. If elected to the Council, I will continue to advocate for that.

As an elected Councillor I would put pressure on FCC to maximise the use of public land to deliver social and affordable housing. Successive governments have reduced the powers of Councillors and these need to be given back to ensure that those representing the electorate can do so in terms of delivery of housing for people – section 179A legislation further erodes the role of local representation and consultation by interested parties, this needs to be challenged.

We are in the worst housing emergency in the state and every effort needs to be made to provide housing, social, affordable, private. Consultation with communities needs to be increased.

I have a motion tabled for our Council meeting seeking additional funding for the Tenant in Situ process. I will be seeking for this to be streamlined with targeted timelines and real communication. Many families are finding themselves homeless because while their landlord is willing to sell to FCC the process is too long and lack of communication with both parties is causing frustrations.

We are in the middle of an unprecedented housing crisis that will require the biggest house building program that the state has ever seen. I would put pressure on Fingal County council to ensure that we have a strong council-led building program on public land to increase the supply of affordable homes in Fingal.

The process of selling public land on to developers needs to stop!

To address the housing shortage in Fingal, I propose a multifaceted approach centred around the establishment of a state-built entity dedicated to constructing affordable homes. I would advocate for a shift towards a public housing model.

By prioritising public housing, we can ensure that affordable homes are accessible to all residents. This includes working with developers who we will have to work with to ensure that new housing developments include a mix of social, affordable, and private housing options. The state build entity would work by collaborating with local contractors and small businesses to build homes at scale, in batches of 50 or 100, to streamline build times and mitigate risks. Additionally, I would advocate for policies that incentivise the construction of public housing developments, a community engagement focused planning processes, and allocate sufficient funding for housing initiatives.

Direct council-built housing is essential. We outsource to developers and private investors and this leads to ludicrous “system” where the state props up landlords’ profits through HAP, leasing, and tax breaks for corporates, where schemes like First Home and Help to Buy keep market price of houses out of reach of most ordinary people, where corporations just muscle in and push homebuyers away like what happened in Belcamp with S3 capital and Boroimhe with Ryanair.

AHBs have become a part of the problem too - there are over 500 of them and their operation can be opaque.

FCC built a mere handful of houses directly in 2023.

This requires a national response too - a state construction company is a total no-brainer. But it’s also in Fingal’s power to develop and build themselves. Dublin City Council directly built 2000 social homes between 2019 and 2022 and while this is nowhere nearly enough it puts Fingal County Council to shame; for example in 2021 FCC directly built the sum total of zero social homes.

The alternative of letting private players take over puts the council at a huge disadvantage when trying to provide homes for people. For example, selling off land to Glenveagh at Ballymastone made no sense at the time and makes even less sense now - the developer has already said that the affordable purchase prices previously set would be higher than agreed.

Prioritising infrastructure and amenities is crucial from the outset of planning. Our objective should be to create communities where access to essential services like shops, childcare, medical facilities, and recreational areas, as well as a reliable road network, is readily available. It's unacceptable that new housing developments in areas like Swords, Malahide, and potentially others, are lacking basic pedestrian access pathways.

Furthermore, in larger developments, amenities should be introduced in stages. This approach ensures that as residents begin to occupy their homes, they won't have to endure lengthy delays before these facilities become accessible.

Continue to work with my party colleagues to make sure community facilities are increased and front-loaded as part of any new developments.

One key approach I will be looking to in the next term is where development levies are being spent. (Assuming the waiver doesn’t continue.)

To put it simply, the money from developments should first go to filling the infrastructure gaps in the areas where the new development is. This is crucial for Swords because we are taking a significant number of new homes, compared to other areas.

With the lands to the north of Swords due for development in the next decade, this is all the more important. Swords needs a significant increase in sporting infrastructure including a new municipal sports hub, including a sports stadium, indoor court facilities and a public swimming pool. Much smaller towns boast such facilities.

We need to make sure that money follows the people, in Fingal and nationally. This principal should apply in other areas too – particularly healthcare, transport, and policing. I want to see our healthcare, transport, and policing strategies prepare for the forecasted populations in the Swords area.

There have been some positive developments in healthcare, but the future population demands greater levels of services. In policing, the future is clearly to have Swords as the centre of its own district and we need to see garda numbers increase in Swords and stay there.

In transport, we really need the Metrolink project to progress at pace, but we also need to prioritise more direct commuter services, increase the use of the port tunnel for public transport, and develop a local bus that can serve the area once the Metrolink is operational.

In addition, I support a rounded approach to improving housing conditions, recognising the importance of broader civic amenities. Investing in parks and playgrounds 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 Fingal 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.

A lack of community infrastructure has been a particular problem for a number of housing estates built in Swords in the past, yet nothing seems to change. Amenities and services seem to follow years later; I have experience of this having fought for adequate public transport, the opening of public parks, and a post box, for the Miller’s Glen community.

I am adamant that where housing is built, it is always coupled with plans for public transport connections, retail units, and other essential services. It is also important that green space is retained, especially for the abundance of young families that are moving into new homes in our area.

Our planning needs to improve at both local and national level. For example, I would advocate for an overhaul of planning guidelines to make way for a new model of creche delivery in housing developments. Another example would be the need, in my opinion, for the Government's Sports Capital Fund to increase in line with our increased housing targets.

Infrastructure and amenities need to be paramount in decisions made at the planning stage. This is something I argued strongly for during the Fingal Development Plan.

We need to ensure that we are building communities with access to services including shops, childcare facilities, doctors, green and play areas etc and with a decent road network. There are still estates being built in Swords and Malahide and likely other areas that don’t have a footpath for access which is a disgrace. 

Amenities should be delivered on a phased basis, particularly in larger developments where people are moving into homes and currently have a long wait before they become available.

All new developments must have adequate amenities and services to support them. These have to be provided for and included at the planning stage and need to be properly scrutinised. I believe Miller’s Glen/Meadowbank in my area of Swords is a great example of how developments should be supported going forward. There is a great retail area with health services, childcare facilities, sports pitch with changing facilities and a fantastic children’s playground and sports court. I will be campaigning that this level of amenities and services be provided with all new large developments.

To ensure that adequate amenities and services accompany new housing developments, I would prioritise community consultation and engagement throughout the planning process. This involves working closely with local residents and community groups to identify their needs and preferences regarding amenities such as schools, healthcare facilities, public transportation, parks, and recreational spaces. I would also make sure all developer or entities contributions are used to fund the construction of essential amenities as part of any new housing developments.

Furthermore, I would advocate for a proactive approach where amenities are planned and implemented in tandem with or prior to housing developments to ensure that residents have access to essential services from the outset.

The Fingal Development plan specifies that not for profit creches should be provided for in new and existing developments. Only 6% of creches are not for profit in Fingal - it is within the power of the council to increase this number significantly. I will pursue this matter whether or not I am elected

We need a public swimming pool in Swords. There are multiple sites that have been given SHD planning permission in south Swords - the Lord Mayor's, Forest Road and Pinnock Hill. All of these sites should be taken into public ownership - whether by compulsory purchase or another mechanism - the last site, in particular, is enormous and could easily have a swimming pool incorporated into the construction.

My perspective on Dublin Airport's operations and its planned expansion highlights the Dublin Airport Authority (daa) as a significant catalyst for job creation and economic advancement in Fingal, with around 17,000 individuals employed directly and indirectly by the airport. I recognize the importance of the airport's expansion and its role as a semi-state entity obligated to comply with planning regulations and conditions, just like any other entity.

However, the daa has not fully adhered to established planning conditions, particularly concerning passenger number limits. Presently, there's an ongoing case with An Bord Pleanála regarding night-time flights, and changes in flight paths have resulted in more homes requiring sound insulation.

Legal actions have emerged, including judicial reviews initiated by the daa in response to enforcement notices from Fingal County Council, and further litigation by Friends of the Environment alongside residents' groups.

The daa’s approach towards neighbouring residents, particularly concerning noise and environmental impacts, shows a lack of proper engagement and consideration. Effective communication and engagement are crucial for the airport to address its operational needs while ensuring the health and welfare of surrounding communities are safeguarded.

Dublin Airport is not being a good neighbour. Planning laws are for us all to adhere to and Dublin Airport should be no different. We all went to meeting after meeting before the new runway opened and then to find that all of those flight lines were wrong is very disapointing and devestating to nearby communities. Dublin Airport, a vital piece of infrastructure for Fingal and the County, needs to play by the rules and become a good neighbour again.

Dublin Airport is a massive employer and economic generator for Fingal, but the planned expansion is a threat to our climate, our health, and our economy. The level of expansion will massively grow emissions in an already high emission sector. It is way outside the Paris Agreement and would make Ireland highly vulnerable to policy changes to tackle climate change. To expand air travel will create sectors that are highly vulnerable to the reduction in emissions needed to meet the Paris Agreement. This is fundamentally unsustainable and risks pushing the airport, and the country, into a boom-and-bust cycle.

Any expansion also exposes communities to harmful noise. There is growing evidence that aircraft noise has serious health effects, including increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease. Overall, we need an aviation strategy that focuses on preserving jobs and economic activity as the sector is brought in line with the Paris Agreement, just like every other sector in the economy. How can we ask farmers to make such radical changes while allowing aviation a free pass? Far from being a burden on the economy it will create resilience in sectors such as FDI and tourism to the benefit of the country in the longer term.

In relation to the current flight paths, it’s clear the DAA are in breach of the planning permission. They are flying over communities that were never supposed to be affected. It is a disgrace and a national scandal, and I hope the courts rule clearly in favour of the community.

I don’t believe night flights should happen, except for emergencies and a small number of exceptions. Other jurisdictions have shown it’s possible and the increase in night flights in Dublin is directly related to restrictions in other airports. The health of people in Dublin is just as important as people in London or Frankfurt.

When it comes to protecting communities from noise the airport needs to implement a policy of preventing preventable pollution. If mitigation measures can reduce noise they should be implemented. The cost effectiveness argument needs to be weighed against the massive profits the DAA generate, which stand at over €100m per annum.

We need sound barriers built at the blast pad of the north runway to protect families in South Swords, we need to use the north and south runways for take-off to reduce the noise contours and provide respite, we need noise abatement procedures used by pilots to get planes higher faster and reduce noise on the ground, we need a community-led plan for those areas most badly impacted by noise so they can have somewhere their communities can locate and grown into the future, and we need to be implementing all this now.

I am conscious that this is a live case and that there are ongoing issues involving both daa and Fingal County Council.

Dublin Airport is an enormous economic force in Ireland, as well as a major local employer; however, the benefits brought by our Airport do not excuse the detrimental noise impact of the new runway on so many homes on the southern end of Swords. It is vital that daa commence noise mitigation and soundproofing measures, as promised to the affected residents.

In relation to the expansion of the Airport, it is apparent that this will become a necessity given the projected rise in passenger numbers. That does not give daa a free pass; they must adhere to planning laws, the same as the rest of us. Any future expansion of the Airport must be conducted in accordance with the planning system and must follow the advice and findings of Fingal County Council's Aircraft Noise Competency Authority.

The DAA is a driver for jobs and economic progress in Fingal, with 17K people working directly and indirectly for the airport. While I acknowledge and support the need for the development of the airport – they are a semi-state body and are subject to compliance with planning and like any other organisation have to adhere to planning conditions that apply to them. 

The DAA has ignored planning conditions concerning caps on passengers, there is currently a case with An Bord Pleanála around nighttime flights and they have changed flight paths where additional houses now fall into the areas needing insulation.

There are a number of cases in the courts where the DAA have taken judicial reviews (JR) because the FCC served enforcement notices and an additional JR being taken by the Friends of the Environment and residents groups because there was a ministerial order removing health and safety measures from the Fingal Development Plan which was a motion I brought forward and was unanimously agreed.

The DAA are not good neighbours, they don’t engage with residents affected by noise and environmental issues. There has to be engagement and communication so the airport can meet the needs, while also ensuring the health and wellbeing of communities are protected.

While I agree that the airport is a good provider of employment for the people of Fingal they are currently not good neighbours to the people of Swords. They, like everybody else, are required to abide by planning conditions which at present they are not.

There is currently a case with an Bord Pleanala dealing with the number of night time flights and they have changed flight paths meaning additional houses now fall into the areas dealing with an extreme increase in aircraft noise. Going forward, there needs to be a drastic improvement with communication and engagement with the council and local residents and they must of course comply with their planning conditions.

My views on Dublin Airport's current operations and proposed expansion are centred around balancing the airport's economic benefits with its environmental and community impacts. While I recognise the importance of Dublin Airport as a hub for travel and commerce, I believe that any expansion plans must be carefully evaluated to minimize noise pollution, air pollution, and traffic congestion in surrounding communities. Additionally, I would advocate for increased investment in sustainable transportation options to reduce reliance on private cars for airport access.

I have serious concerns about Dublin Airport's current operations and its proposed expansion plans. Its bypassing of planning applications and implications on flightpaths due to safetycases. The airport's operations have significant environmental and health impacts, including noise pollution and air pollution, which adversely affect adjacent communities.

Furthermore, the lack of live particle monitoring in nearby areas is alarming, considering the potential health effects. I am opposed to the proposed expansion unless stringent measures are put in place to mitigate these impacts. Additionally, I support implementing taxes on airlines' fuel (kerosene) to incentivise the adoption of greener alternatives and reduce environmental harm.

The airport doesn’t need to expand any more. Its emissions are already equivalent to 1.4 million cars per year and the noise and fumes for locals are unbearable. DAA’s infrastructural plans serve the interests of the global and Irish ruling classes.

The fact that Michael O’Leary is name-calling locals “loonies”, that Leo Varadkar recently said that DAA’s plans were good for business says it all. The jobs we need are not those that may or may not arise from the proposed expansion to 40 million passengers per year. We need jobs in providing social homes, metro north and other public transport projects, renewable energy projects, public creches and nursing homes.

As the Metro project proceeds to another round of public consultations, potentially leading to more expenditure and delays, there's an urgent need to establish an interconnected sustainable transport system. This should include park-and-ride options for communities currently underserved by public transportation.

Swords, for instance, has neighbourhoods developed 15-20 years ago that still lack public transport access, with recent housing areas also facing delays in bus service implementation.

Rural bus routes often leave significant gaps between stops. A comprehensive review of Fingal's transport services is necessary, aiming for a cohesive network that enhances access to key destinations like hospitals, schools, and colleges, facilitating easier travel within Fingal and beyond. Given that 70% of Fingal's workforce commutes outside the county, largely due to insufficient transport options that meet their needs, this issue is pressing.

Metrolink, Metrolink and Metrolink.

We need to continue to invest heavily in public transport in the Swords area and nationally.

While councillors do not have direct control over transport, I will advocate for increases in direct commuter connections to the city (41X), the increased use of the port tunnel by bus services, and the continued progress of the Metrolink.

The length of time we have been waiting for the Metrolink is a bad joke. No one in Swords has any faith left in it being delivered. The only way to change that is to see shovels in the ground and building commence. I hope we an get there in the next 12 months.

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.

Councillors don’t control this directly, but what we do have some say over is the allocation of road space. We need to dedicate more road space to bus lanes - it isn’t right that a bus with 60 people is stuck in traffic behind a car with just one person. We need to elect councillors who will stand up to extreme pressure from the motoring lobby. We need to work productively with the NTA and other bodies who are leading on the delivery to ensure the projects are of maximum benefit to the community. Where there are issues, I will work closely with communities to highlight local concerns and push for improvements in safety for people walking and cycling, greening for the area and traffic calming.

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.

Metro, Metro, Metro. We're tired of it being talked about, we're tired of it being trivialised, and we want to see it a reality. I am a huge advocate for the MetroLink project and the need to fast-track this crucial piece of transport infrastructure. We needed it ten years ago, we need it even more now, and we're going to pay the price if we keep kicking the can down the road.

I recently had a letter published in The Irish Times in which I called out the trivialisation of MetroLink by those who would rather spend the money elsewhere. With various issues being addressed and resolved along the R132 following the recent public hearings, we're far along enough in the planning process that we must see this project through.

Like so many in Swords, I'm a commuter to the city centre, and one of the few candidates in this election who is dependent on public transport. BusConnects will bring huge benefits to Swords in terms of capacity and frequency, and I hope reliability. If elected I will advocate for that project (around the 'A Spine') to be delivered to Swords communities on schedule and without delay.

In advance of delivery of the metro, which is now going back out to public consultation and likely to incur additional spending and time, we need to put in place a sustainable transport system that is linked up and includes a park-and-ride facility for those estates that don’t have access to public transport.

There are a number of estates in Swords that despite being built 15-20 years ago do not have access to public transport, there are newly developed estates that have delays in providing a bus service.

There are bus services in rural areas that have a kilometre or more between stops. We need to review the public transport system in Fingal looking at linked-up services that provide more accessibility to hospitals, schools, colleges etc that people can travel within the Fingal area and beyond easily. 70% of people commute outside of Fingal to go to work – many of these have no alternative but to drive because of the lack of a sustainable transport system that suits their needs.

As a member of the Transport and Infrastructure Special Policy Committee, I have raised the issue of transport for tourism, many tour companies bypass Swords because there is no coach park for them to bring tourists into the area.  We are missing out on bringing tourism to our main county town.

Swords needs the delivery of the Metro. Unfortunately, we have just heard that the metro is now going back out to public consultation and likely to incur additional spends and time. This is yet another massive set back to the people of Fingal. There are also many estates in Swords that do not have adequate access to public transport. A review of the public transport system and routes in swords is needed so that these estates, particularly the new large developments are adequately served by public transport.

Improving public transport in Fingal requires a radical overhaul of existing infrastructure and services. This includes investing in rural connectivity, upgrading distributor roads to main dual carriageways and motorways, and enhancing strategic infrastructure.

Additionally, I advocate for the implementation of greener and more efficient public transport options to encourage modal shift away from private cars. Expanding bus and rail networks, improving frequency and reliability, and incentivising the use of public transport through fare subsidies and infrastructure improvements. This can only be achieved if both economically, for work life balance, and time saving people feel able to get out of cars and onto public transport. This requires trust, fast efficient and cost effective services which is but a pipe dream in Ireland at present. Even though it is essential for the climate.

We have rural communities isolated without basic infrastructure like footpaths, adequate roads and bus services, if these basics are not achievable I worry about public transport infrastructure and how we can achieve it.

Metro North needs to be built without any further delay.

Fingal, and especially Swords, is heavily car dependent. The last thing that should be done is for car users to be penalised or punished for having to commute. Give people a real, workable solution and they'll take it. Free public transport would cost between €300 and €500 million - if we are serious about reaching climate emissions targets, serious about making Fingal a sustainable, decent place to live then we need to make investments of this nature. The Greens may believe that free public transport will lead to people taking unnecessary journeys but this is simply ludicrous.

To make Swords safer and more enjoyable for walking and biking, in line with Sinn Féin's focus on sustainable and accessible transportation, consider these key steps:

Expand Bike Lanes: Build more protected bike lanes to connect key areas, encouraging cycling as a safe, everyday transport option.

Upgrade pathways: Ensure pathways are wide, clear, and well-maintained, with safe, visible crosswalks across busy intersections.

Promote Safe School Routes: Support programs for safer walking and biking paths to schools, encouraging group travel with adult supervision.

Engage the Community: Involve locals in planning through consultations to pinpoint needs and preferences for walking and biking infrastructure.

Link to Public Transport: Enhance access to public transit with ample bike parking and accessible pathways to stations.

Green the City: Integrate more green spaces and street trees to beautify routes and improve air quality.

Ensure Accessibility: Make all new and upgraded paths accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.

Improved options for residents and free and safe bike locking facilities.

Swords still has a long way to go before it is a walking and cycling friendly town. We have some bike lanes in Brackenstown and Rivervalley, but they need to be connected before we have the ‘network effect’ and cycling can really take off.

The key arteries into the town, the Rathbeale Rd, Forest Rd, Malahide Rd, Glen Ellen Rd, and Watery Lane, all need to be made safe for walking and cycling.

I also support the creation of greenways through open space in the town. Two areas will be critical for this – the Ward River Valley and the open space that connects Pinegrove to Castlegrange. The plans for the Ward River Valley Regional Park include an East West greenway connecting to estates along the valley as well as a walking and cycling bridge connecting Brackenstown and Rivervalley. This is something I pushed for and I think would really transform the town. The connection between Pinegrove and Balheary, along the ‘old road’, would connect schools, JCs, Fingallians, Columcilles GAA, as well as the skate park. This would also be relatively simple to deliver and would have such a positive impact.

I support plans to lower speed limits in our towns and cities 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.

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.

This is a broad question. Nationally, this involves Government efforts to slow drivers down and prevent tragedy on our roads, through better enforcement of speed limits and revised strategies to clamp down on the scourge of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Locally, we need improved road signage. We need an improved walking and cycling network, and improved crossing points, as mentioned previously. We also need to look at speeding blackspots and addressing the problem in specific areas, rather than relying on the Gardaí to enforce speed limits purely based on the type of road.

New measures should be considered for major roads, including Average Speed Cameras, which have been trialled elsewhere in the past.

I always champion the need to consult widely with the community and community groups concerning their needs and the issues they face. We have invested a lot in cycling infrastructure which works well in a lot of areas, but others remain unused, with much of the cycling lanes leading nowhere or stopping in an area where there is a need.

Ensuring the footpaths are in good repair is important for those walking, with many areas unsafe, particularly for those with mobility issues.  We also need to ensure that elderly people can get around safely and people pushing buggies have space to navigate

Additional safe school programmes to make it easier for children to walk to school (where they live close enough) and walking buses from parking areas where parents have to drive their children contribute in great part.

There has been a huge investment in the provision of cycleways and path upgrade works around Swords. This is a welcome addition to the area. Care does need to be taken though to ensure that these are planned and installed safely. There were many installed with kerbing that was becoming a trip hazard and following public response had to be subsequently removed. We also need to ensure that our current footpaths are kept well maintained and free from damage that could cause access issues or injury.

Creating safer and more pleasant walking and cycling environments requires a comprehensive approach that prioritises infrastructure improvements and traffic management measures. In rural, urban and suburban areas. The current town centre model only slows down traffic in town centres creates back logs and doesn’t deal with local areas which are unsafe to walk and cycle from in the first place.

We need to have basic infrastructure and footpaths in all towns and villages as a standard before we try to connect towns to areas that they cannot serve, due to infrastructure deficits. This includes investing in dedicated cycling lanes, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, and traffic calming measures in rural areas and distributor roads into main thoroughfares.

Additionally, I support implementing average speed zones and cameras to deter dangerous driving behaviours such as texting while driving. By prioritising active transportation and promoting road safety, we can create healthier and more sustainable communities.

We need to get real. Our first concern should be to get people places to live. And by that I mean all people. Who lives here belongs here - and we have more than enough wealth to provide houses and healthcare for all - homeless, direct provision, IP applicants, our Ukrainian friends, many of whom will be here for the foreseeable - then the city will be nicer to get around.

I find it hard to care about this when I see how cruelly those IP applicants were treated by the state on St Patrick's weekend, when I know that 39% of Travellers are technically homeless, when I see the people lugging heavy shopping bags up the back roads from Charlestown to Balseskin. "Nicer and Safer" trips around are the concern of the privileged middle class.

Streamlining the revision of speed limits to quickly address safety hotspots is key. This includes greater collaboration with local residents who understand their neighbourhood's specific risks and needs for improved traffic management, such as speed bumps and warning signs. Sinn Féin champions community-led initiatives to ensure roads in Swords and beyond are safe and accommodating for all.

Better enforcement of speeding limits and more drink / drug driving testing.

Segregated bike 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. That’s especially important near schools.

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.

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 to have pedestrian priority built into minor junctions, to provide for pedestrian priority, alongside safer crossing points. 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.

I will always advocate for improvements to active travel infrastructure in Swords. We can do this in a way that is sensible, and that involves proper consultation with communities. 

That means repairing existing roads and footpaths, many of which are unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists at present. It means ensuring there are ways for pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross busy roads. It means segregated cycle lanes where appropriate, and learning from past mistakes when it comes to the layout of cycle schemes. It also means the upgrade of cycle lanes that are not fit for purpose; for example, where they are not clearly marked or where cycle lanes end abruptly and force cyclists onto busy roads or footpaths.

I also fully support the NTA’s Safe Routes to School Programme and encouraging parents and children to use active travel methods when travelling to and from school.

The by-laws for speed in the county need to be easier to change when speed limits are an issue in particular areas.  At the moment the process is long and drawn out and there are many areas where the speed is dictated by the type of road rather than where it is and its usage.

There should be a lot more involvement by community groups in determining speed limits in their locale where they are aware of accident blackspots or areas where action needs to be taken in relation to the installation of ramps, slowing down of traffic – traffic management, VAS signs etc

Our roads need to be kept in good repair. Our roads are constantly being dug up and relaid to install or repair services. They need to be put back to a good standard and not just patched up. Speed limits and signage must also be kept under review to allow for new developments and changes to surroundings.

To improve road safety for all users, we need to implement a combination of measures aimed at reducing accidents and promoting responsible driving behaviour. This includes enhancing infrastructure such as segregated cycleways, pedestrian crossings, and traffic calming measures. Natural measures like the design manual for urban roads, create natural solutions to slow down traffic in residential areas. By narrowing exits, shortening turning radius etc.

Additionally, I advocate for the implementation of stricter enforcement measures, including more improved signage, lighting, average speed zones and cameras to detect and penalise dangerous driving behaviours. Education and awareness campaigns are also essential to promote safe driving practices and reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities on our roads.

Free, frequent, green public transport.

New developments must prioritise the integration of green areas and biodiversity efforts, including community gardens and shared green spaces. Initiating these practices in educational settings encourages young people to engage with their environment actively. Preserving and expanding green areas ensures all residents have access to natural spaces, crucial for environmental sustainability and community well-being.

We are doing a lot of this already, more biodiversity open spaces to help the pollinators.

The Fingal Biodiversity Action Plan is one of the most ambitious plans for restoring nature of any local authority. Originally the plan was only part funded, I, along with colleagues, pushed for the plan to be fully funded and we were successful in persuading the executive to put significant funds behind it. This had a big impact on Swords as actions in the Ward River Valley and the Broadmeadow Estuary were now included. For this term I want to see this plan become a reality. Many of the key measures will be carried out over the next five years and I think it is critical that Green councillors are there to help make it happen.

The Green Party has hugely increased the funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and ensured the funding for the appointment of bioversity officers in every Local Authority – we want to make their work as success and support their efforts as they work to reintroduce a biodiversity positive approach throughout the work of Fingal County Council.

We need to reverse some of the damage that has been done and there are fantastic community groups all over the county doing great work on the ground and a huge interest in improving and protecting nature – the Greens are keen to support them wherever we can, politically, financially and practically.

My submission to the Sustainable Swords Draft Plan stated the importance of maximising the amount of green spaces in the town. This includes more green space, however big or small, in and around the town centre, e.g. the Rock Garden, as well as realising the Masterplan for the Ward River Valley Regional Park. I would also add that more trees should be planted around the town centre where appropriate, and that we should examine the possibility of urban gardens and “living roofs” for pollinators.

As previously stated, new housing developments must always include green spaces.

The scourge of illegal dumping must be properly tackled by the Council through a quick response and a follow-up to reports. I would also like to see CCTV deployed in spots where illegal dumping has become a significant issue.

All new developments need to include natural green spaces, where developments comprise apartments and high-rise buildings – amenities such as community gardens and access to allotments should also be included.

Promoting diversity should start in schools – with primary and secondary students getting involved in their areas but also through school-based activities.

I am a member of the Swords Woodland Association who do amazing work with schools and community groups including residents associations and tidy towns to promote the advantages of green spaces and biodiversity not only to aid in climate change but also for the mental well-being of people. 

One of the motions I raised, and was passed, in the Fingal Development Plan was the ‘greening’ of public buildings, including (where possible) planting on roofs such as county hall and other publicly run centres. We need to hold on to the green spaces and parks that we currently have and ensure that new developments provide access to open spaces for residents.

As with adequate amenities and services, I would campaign that green spaces must be included at the planning stage for all developments. In work I am a member of the sustainability taskforce with which I provided pocket orchards and bug hotels to the community.

Promoting natural green spaces and biodiversity in Fingal requires a coordinated effort to protect and enhance existing habitats while creating new ones. I support the creation of green belts that connect towns and villages and immerse them in natural biodiversity. Similar to the planned green bet in Swords we as local councillors are pursing. This includes preserving existing green spaces, planting native trees and vegetation, and restoring natural habitats.

Additionally, I would support community-led initiatives to create urban gardens, wildlife habitats, and green corridors to enhance biodiversity and improve the quality of life for residents.

Furthermore, I advocate for sustainable land management practices that prioritize biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. Making a conscious effort to expend areas and create permeability and access in the most environmentally friendly manner and reduce HGV use on large scale regional park developments as much as possible, like the ward rivervalley regional park project.

We have the lowest population density in Europe. Planners should not grant permission to high rise developments, especially in Fingal. The SHD planning permission for development at the Lord Mayor's in Swords is being judicially reviewed at the moment - that permission should have been refused because that corner of Swords is way too tight for the proposed 146 apartments. The site should be developed directly by the council for a far smaller number of social residences - with fully integrated public facilities included - a creche, a community centre.

The biodiversity of "the Jacko" (the River Valley Park) is, regardless of the terms of the planning conditions attached to the ABP permission is under clear threat from the construction as currently planned.

I make the point again - it is a privilege to be concerned about biodiversity. Most working class people have far more pressing concerns - in health, there are over one million people on public waiting lists of one kind or another. I would be more concerned with the fact that Swords doesn't have a general hospital. That's longer term development but I can't think of a town of comparable size that doesn't have such a basic facility.

Fingal county is an agricultural area. People get worked up about emissions from the airport and commuter traffic and quite rightly so; but the emissions from agriculture are many multiples of what comes from aviation. Nationally, there needs to a rapid decarbonisation of agricultural activity through a just transition for workers in that sector

Addressing the recreational needs of Fingal's growing population involves not only adding more parks and sports facilities in green zones but also conducting thorough needs assessments with local sports and recreational clubs. This approach ensures that new amenities meet the community's actual demands.

It's important to offer a wide range of activities beyond traditional sports, acknowledging diverse interests and the importance of quiet, inclusive spaces. Specifically, in Swords, the development of swimming facilities responds to the lack of local beach access, illustrating Sinn Féin's commitment to investing in facilities that reflect and support the community's evolving needs.

Continue to work with community groups and sporting groups to lobby and plan for additional community and sporting facilities. I have a very good track record in this regard.

To ensure sufficient facilities are provided for to a growing population it needs to be built into our planning system. Sites and locations must be identified prior to any building being undertaken. I believe that this has been improved upon in the last development plan, but we have a lot to catch up on.

One major issue for me is that lack of a public swimming pool in Swords and the overreliance on private sports clubs to teach children to swim. Parents are currently driving great distances and at huge inconvenience to access a swimming pool. I believe all children in urban areas should have access to a public pool by foot or on public transport.

All towns should have easy access to open spaces where people and children can be in nature. Access to nature is essential for both physical and mental health. We are lucky in Fingal to have so many beautiful parks and beaches, but we need to ensure all our citizens have better access to them and ensure they are open at times when they can be appreciated.

Swords needs more playing pitches, full stop. We have an abundance of clubs for a variety of sports but we need to prioritise working with all stakeholders to buy land and build the sporting amenities we need.

With regard to sites that already belong to sports clubs, I will always encourage those clubs to apply for investment through the Sports Capital Grant Programme. I believe we need to significantly expand that Programme and I spoke to a motion calling for same at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis. 

Providing parks and sports facilities in new developments and publicly owned lands that are zoned as green spaces, without removing all the green areas is a must.  The population in the county has grown and sports clubs are struggling to find playing space.  I would support a survey of existing clubs to see what their needs are – based on numbers and growth rate and look at what facilities can be made available.

We also need to be mindful of the fact that not all children are into contact sports and that facilities need to be available for those who need quiet spaces and clubs that meet their needs.  This is why the provision of community centres is so important, that allows facilities for all members of the community that may not be able to enjoy parks or traditional sports facilities.

We also need swimming pools – particularly in Swords which has no direct access to a beach or the sea.  We need to invest in people and their needs – and future-proof these facilities for growth.

As with the Miller’s Glen development, I would campaign for pitches and facilities to be included with large developments.

I have also been campaigning for a public swimming pool in Swords. At present the people of Swords are stuck having to pay high fees to access private pools in gyms etc. or travel to the sea which is of course weather depending.

To increase the availability of parks and sports facilities in Fingal, I would prioritise investment in recreational infrastructure and facilities. I would work to secure funding for new construction projects, partner with local community groups and sports organisations to identify suitable locations and prioritise investment in recreational infrastructure. Sports clubs have the knowledge and desire to expand we need to utilise their knowledge. I would advocate for partnerships with sports clubs, schools, and community organisations to maximize the use of existing facilities and promote active lifestyles. By prioritising parks and sports facilities, we can create healthier and more vibrant communities in Fingal.

I would advocate for inclusive and accessible design standards to ensure that parks and sports facilities are accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Additionally, looking at sports that are not physical or outdoor in nature. Like chess, pool, snooker, darts amongst a myriad of others should also be facilitated.

The River Valley Park (the Jacko) should be developed and protected right up to Knocksedan. Cycle paths, walkways, a greenway intersecting with the north-south greenway extending out to Donabate would be a fantastic amenity. Publicly nursing homes could be built there - it would be a fantastic reward for people at the end of their working lives to be cared for in such a beautiful place.

I was in Vienna a few years ago. In addition to having fantastic public housing they also have huge dog off-leash parks that would encourage responsible dog ownership. A lot of people who talk about responsible dog ownership don't understand that off-leash pens like the one in River Valley are totally counter productive. The Off-leash area in Malahide is closer to what is needed.

When it comes to sports, it was a great shame when Sporting Fingal failed a decade ago. The example set by teams like Bohemians with their anti-racist and pro-Palestinian campaigns shows how sports can have an enormously positive influence on the wider society.