Having been a councillor for two terms already, I can see the results of policy decisions and consent processes I have been part of. All Housing proposals that have come before me on Fingal County Council, I have supported while at the same time making sure we are not just building housing, we are building communities and that is really important to make sure growing communities get the right levels of Physical & Social Infrastructure to underpin the new homes. I have also been a member of the Fingal County Council Special Policy Committee on Housing over my 10 years on the Council and this committee carry out significant preparatory and delivery work on all things Housing. 

I am also strongly supportive of the fingal development plan which was adopted last year after many marathon meetings. This sets the framework for development of housing across the county. This plan allows for the future population growth of fingal. One of the most important things I considered in the making of the development plan is ensuring we have enough land zoned in the right places and more importantly the right land in the right locations. For me, it was essential that land is zoned along the public transport corridors, the dart, the metrolink and the train line. Now that the plan is adopted, there is a degree of certainty that housing will be located in these key areas. 

Secondly, it is important for me to work with the Councils Executive in the implementation of the Governments Housing For All programme. This means working to ensure part 8 developments and our Capital programme of works will provide high quality housing for our residents. All my work is guided by various plans such as the Fingal Development Plan, Donabate Local Area Plan and the recently adopted Donabate Urban Framework plan. In my work I also see myself as a conduit between the executive and local stakeholders to ensure new developments respect the existing characteristics of a town or village, that new developments will greatly add to our area and take absolutely nothing away from the communities we are building. 

This provision of adequate social, recreational and community infrastructure alongside housing is a key issue for me and the communities I represent. For me, it is essential to work within the existing frameworks to make sure this happens. I work with local communities and local stakeholders to outline what’s needed and when it’s needed. I also work extensively with the parks and community sections of fingal county council to ensure the works they are proposing and carrying out take place in the right locations in a timely manner. Every Budget and Capital plan that has come before me as a local Councillor I have supported. 

Dublin Airport is critically important for everyone, Fingal, our Country and we are fortunate that it is located in the heart of Fingal. I am a strong supporter of Dublin Airport and its vital importance. However it’s not a free pass and I believe the Dublin Airport Authority could do much better in been a good neighbour to its surrounding communities and areas that the airport impacts the most. I am supportive of the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan which we adopted as Councillors in 2020 and this plan allows the airport to expand to accommodating 40 million passengers in the years ahead in tandem with major infrastructural improvements in and around Dublin Airport. 

The expansion of Dublin airport is something that requires a careful balance that gives serious consideration to climate action, health, quality of life issues and the economic well being of our country. 

I have confidence the existing regulatory frameworks which the airport operates within are sufficiently robust to ensure the right balance is struck for any future development at the airport.

A lot more needs to be done, in many ways Fingal has been left behind in the provision of Public transport but pleased to see both the NTA and transport stakeholders have agreed ambitious plans that now need to be delivered. High Quality Public transport is a key requirement for us all in not just fulfilling our climate actions obligations but in building healthy sustainable communities across Fingal. Work needs to progress on large projects such as dart plus North, BusConnects and Metrolink. For example I strongly support the NTAs plans to extend the Dart to Donabate and greatly improve the local bus service which will see Donabate Portrane connected to Dublin Airport by bus, I know it is now going to happen but I’m frustrated by the slow pace of progress. I also am a strong supporter of permeability and more local projects such as our safe routes to school and greenway projects. 

Again, this is something we’ve seen lots of improvement in over the last few years and of course a lot more is needed. 

Better signage, segregated cycleways, wider footpaths are needed. But I’m both a Driver & Cyclist myself and we also need better driver behaviour. Drivers must be more aware they share the road and should show better awareness of the more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The responsibility of driving a car is really important and of course a car is way more powerful in the hierarchy of road users than pedestrians or cyclists. 

Thankfully this is something we are already quite active on in fingal. The recent capital programme agreed a 1.35 billion investment in Fingal that has committed multiple of millions euros to active travel projects. 

We need to continue in the same vein and in fact up the pace of delivery. The Broadmeadow Greenway in my own area connecting Donabate to Malahide will be a game changer and I’m delighted to see work is finally underway in delivering this major Greenway but we also need to improve the pedestrian and cycle network right across the county connecting residential areas with local schools, transport hubs and amenities. 

Green spaces and increasing biodiversity are essential for the local communities which I represent. I will continue working with the council to ensure high quality open spaces are delivered and passed over to the council in really good condition when completed. I am also strongly supportive of the Fingal County Council Biodiversity action plan and its full implementation. This plan outlines how we in fingal will address the biodiversity crisis. I will continue to work closely with both the biodiversity team and local community stakeholders to secure funding and consent for the actions outlined in the plan. 

As a local councillor, it’s fundamental to my role that social, recreational and physical amenities such as parks and open spaces are developed in fingal and that they are developed in tandem with other developments and not afterwards. As I outlined above, I will continue to work with the council to ensure the provision of new parks and sports facilities. I intend to continue to do this through engagement with local communities to ensure the right facilities become available in the areas I represent. As well as new facilities and spaces we need to upgrade and carefully manage our existing amenities and open spaces. Lastly I will continue to fight hard to get parks and sports facilities onto the Councils Capital programme and once I achieve that will continue to work day & night to make sure they are delivered. I’m proud of my record in this space since been first elected in 2014.