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Development Plan submission |
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Written by davidhea
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Jun 26, 2009 at 04:10 PM |
A chairde,
5 years ago I made a submission in relation to the overall sustainable development approach of the Development Plan and in particular the energy transition aspects of the Plan. I attach a copy for information.
Unfortunately, it did not lead to a fundamental change in the plan itself. However, the work of the Green Councillors in the intervening period did lead to a significant improvement in the handling of energy issues by the Council, in particular through the introduction of building energy standards in Local Area Plans. A good start has been made in progress towards sustainability in other areas as well, including residential design and incorporating biodiversity into planning and other areas of Council activity.
Nonetheless, the work in all these areas is just a start. There is a long way to go and I urge the Council in preparing a draft plan to focus on the transition to sustainability.
The plan should not assume that a continuation of business as usual is possible. In fact, we are coming up against the limits to growth. This is evident in many respects:
* We are at the peak availability of the oil and gas supplies on which our lifestyles and the growth economy are predicated.(As predicted (Before the Wells Run Dry, 2003) the resulting price spike has knocked the global economy into recession and prices have fallen again due to the recession. As demand recovers, prices will spike again.)
* We have exceeded the ability of the atmosphere to absorb fossil fuel emissions and are massively disrupting the climate as a result.
* We have exceeded the capacity of the biosphere and are causing massive biodiversity loss as a result.
Some links which will give ideas of the kinds of actions which could be integrated into the Strategy:
http://www.transitiontowns.org/
http://www.postcarbon.org/
http://www.iclei.org/index.php?id=800
http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/publications/publication-display.do?id=22001
http://www.klimabuendnis.org/
http://www.naturvardsverket.se/upload/03_lagar_och_andra_styrmedel/ekonomiska_styrmedel/investeringsprogram/lip/local_climate_protection_measures_in_sweden.pdf
I suggest that the use of a methodology such as the ecological footprint (see www.envirocentre.co.uk, www.bestfootforward.co.uk)also be considered.
Regards,
David Healy
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Written by davidhea
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Jun 07, 2009 at 11:22 AM |
I, along with my Green Party/Comhaontas Glas colleagues in Fingal and elsewhere in Dublin, lost in the recent election.
A sincere thank you to all of the local activists and campaigners both within and outside the Green Party for your help and support over the campaign but also for your input and advice over the last 5 years on the Council. I would also like to thank everyone who voted for me and those who gave me and our campaign team such encouragement on the doors during a long month of intensive canvassing.
Meanwhile, the problems of the resource and climate crisis haven't gone away and Feasta is organising a major conference on Wednesday to Friday on The New Emergency.
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The world will never be the same again |
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Written by davidhea
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Jun 03, 2009 at 12:00 AM |
(Although I'm usually pretty strict about keeping this website on local issues, this article on the big picture was in my recent newsletter and people found it interesting. Thanks to Richard Douthwaite for much of the content.)
Almost every day, an economist, a banker or an organisation like the
IMF tells us that the US economy will start to pick up at the end of
the year. Most of them then add that it could be two years after that
before life gets back to normal in Ireland and the rest of the world.
They are wrong. The world will never be “normal” again. It will never
return to the high-growth path that gave birth to the Celtic Tiger.
Here's why: |
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Failure to place bins on beaches a disgrace - Healy |
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Written by davidhea
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Jun 02, 2009 at 12:00 AM |
Green Party Councillor for Howth David Healy has condemned Fingal
County Council’s failure to operate a cleaning service over the bank
holiday weekend.
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Letter to Fingal Development Board about Howth Junction access |
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Written by davidhea
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May 13, 2009 at 03:53 PM |
Arising from a report to the Fingal Development Board at its meeting today, I have written to relevant Board members and staff asking them to get involved with the problem at Howth Junction.
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Accountability and Democracy revisited |
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Written by davidhea
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May 12, 2009 at 03:30 PM |
In 2006, I brought forward a motion to have terms of reference for consultants brought to the Councillors before they were issued. As frequently happens when Councillors seek to take a role in decision-making, the Manager went to Senior Counsel to get legal advice that this motion was illegal, legal advice which I think is completely ill-founded. The matter was brought up at the Corporate Policy Group which in December 2006 decided as follows:
"It was AGREED to identify upcoming Contract and Briefs to Consultants and list them on Area Meeting Agenda."
So this month, I asked how many had been referred to the Area Cttees. The answer: None. |
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Written by davidhea
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May 12, 2009 at 02:29 PM |
My my re-election leaflet as a candidate in the newly combined Howth Malahide ward is here.
My recent newsletter is here. |
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Access to Claremont Beach |
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Written by davidhea
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May 12, 2009 at 02:00 PM |
The Department of the Marine has illegally blocked off access to Claremont Beach from the little road between the Scouts' Quarterdeck and Ivan's restaurant. I have been pushing for planning enforcement. You might be able to help.
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Public Meeting - Food Policy and Growing Your Own |
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Written by davidhea
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May 01, 2009 at 12:35 AM |
Food security issues and practical advice from expert gardeners
Marine Hotel,Sutton Thursday 7th May 8pm
Speakers:
Trevor Sargent, Minister for Food
Bruce Darrell, Dublin Food Growing and Feasta
Stiofán Nutty, TV gardener
Also see:www.getgrowing.ie |
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Information on Home Insulation Grants |
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Written by davidhea
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Mar 27, 2009 at 04:27 PM |
The Green Party's leaflet "Save Energy Save Money" is at www.davidhealy.com/images/stories//energy leaflet aw.pdf
Information on the grants available are at the following web links
Home Energy Saving Scheme
Warmer Homes Scheme
Greener Homes Scheme
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Public meetings on saving energy |
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Written by davidhea
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Mar 24, 2009 at 06:38 PM |
Find out about saving energy and saving money. The Green Party/Comhaontas Glas is organising public meetings on retrofitting your house to use less energy, and the grant schemes which the Government has put in place to help.
Grand Hotel, Malahide Wednesday 25th March at 8pm
Marine Hotel, Sutton Thursday 26th March at 8pm
Speakers:
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Public meeting on Growing Food Locally |
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Written by davidhea
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Mar 24, 2009 at 06:29 PM |
The Green Party is campaigning to provide community gardens and allotments in your area so that we can secure Ireland’s food future. To find out more information please come along to our free public meeting on Tuesday 31st March at 8pm at Cultivate, 15 - 19 Essex St West, Temple Bar.
Speakers:
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Comments on Fingal Development Board draft Strategy |
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Written by davidhea
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Mar 20, 2009 at 12:00 AM |
As a member of Fingal Development Board I have been pushing for their strategy to focus on the transition to sustainability.
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Disruption to water supply |
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Written by davidhea
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Feb 10, 2009 at 05:50 PM |
A number of bursts have occurred on the watermains serving the Howth
and Sutton area within the past 24 hours. Residents in the areas
listed below will experience a disruption to their water supply:
St. Fintan’s Road Thormanby Road, Sheilmartin Road, Offington
Council crews are repairing the watermains at present, and it is hoped
that the water supply will be restored later this evening. Residents in
other areas of Howth and Sutton may experience low water pressure as
the bursts have affected the storage levels of the reservoir serving
the area.
Tuesday 10th February, 2009
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Green Grants for your Home |
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Written by davidhea
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Feb 10, 2009 at 05:23 PM |
Do you want a warmer home that’s less expensive to heat?
There are several schemes available from the Irish Government. One of
them should suit your needs. The three main schemes
are:
1. Home Energy Saving Scheme (Applications March 2009)
2. Greener Homes Scheme
3. Warmer Homes Scheme
You can find more information on Sustainable Energy Ireland’s (SEI) website or at the links below. |
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