Following on from the legal advice that there is an obligation to meet in person, the Green group on Fingal County Council has drawn up a proposal for online meetings which would see physical meetings taking place to confirm decisions taken at online meetings. We believe we must ensure the full operation of democratic local government in circumstances where physical distancing is a major challenge and a number of councillors are cocooning or self-isolating in line with advice for the protection of their own health or that of members of their households. The Corporate Policy Group today agreed to get legal advice on our proposal.

On foot of a proposal from the Green councillors, Fingal County Council is to reallocate road space in areas around the county to facilitate people queueing at local shops and exercising on local roads. As councillors we had noticed locations where narrow footpaths mean people have to pass close to each other either going in opposite directions or when there’s a queue outside shops. We, and fellow Green councillors around the country, were also aware of steps being taken across the world to reallocate road space.

When we raised it with the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) last week we were pleased with the positive reaction and support from other councillors and the immediate engagement of officials who shared our concerns and perspective on the potential for improvement. Yesterday the CPG approved a plan from the Operations Department addressing different areas of the County. Measures include

• temporarily widening footpath space by reallocating parking and loading bays (Howth, Malahide, Portmarnock, Balbriggan)
• pedestrianisation of the street (Malahide)
• converting bus lane to cycle lane and pavement cycle track to footpath (Castleknock)
• residents only car access to the street (Skerries)

If you have noticed other locations where similar measures could be taken, please suggest them.

We’re trying to get Fingal to meet online due to the pandemic and to ensure that even when restrictions are somewhat loosened, Councillors who are cocooning themselves or whose family or work situation puts them at higher risk, can attend meetings online.

We’re being met with legal issues as outlined in this opinion.

The March Area Committee received an update on the School Street in Malahide. In summary, the initiative is successful so far in improving safety and encouraging more active travel to school, and will be continued for the full planned 18 month trial period. It has also resulted in a reduction in exposure to air pollution. The Council will be implementing school streets at other schools in Fingal.

My election leaflet is here. Tá mo bhileog um thoghchán anseo.

Tá físeán gearr agam.  I have a short video.

Here is the RTÉ Morning Ireland climate change debate where I represented the Green Party.

Here are some extracts from the RTÉ Drive Time constituency debate, where I address the environment and drug crime. The full debate is here

The posters are going up, the flyers are going in the doors and the canvassing has started to get me elected in Dublin Bay North for the 33rd Dail!

We need all the help you can give. If you can help leafletting, canvassing or putting up posters, please contact me. If you wish to give a donation, please follow this link: https://donorbox.org/david-healy-green-party-dail-election-capaign-dublin-bay-north

Thank you for your support!

I made this submission today to the 4th (!) planning application on the Techrete site, under the Strategic Housing Development process which reduces effective public participation.

I made this submission to the second “Strategic Housing Development” application for the Baily Court / Edros site on 9th December.

Fingal County Councillors yesterday agreed to amend the County’s Budget to provide funding for three particular areas:

Climate action.

Many of the actions in the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan are marked as “awaiting budget.” These include important measures to reduce emissions and to tackle the impact of climate change including flooding and coastal erosion. The Council decided to allocate a further €320,000 towards these unfunded actions.

Parking enforcement aimed at improving the safety of vulnerable road users.