Archive Page 2

WEANING OURSELVES OFF OIL, THE BIG MESSAGE TO DRIVE RECOVERY

Published 21 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Garristown , Malahide , Oldtown , Politics Closed

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 February, 2011

Busy weekend, so busy I got no blog done on Saturday. Beautiful weather to canvass Saturday however, up and down the hill at Seapark, Biscayne and Robswall and later The Strand, Hanlon’s Lane etc around Malahide. Spectacular views of Lambay. Must try and get out there to canvass sometime! Was delighted to have Greens from South Down, Dublin North West and Dublin North East join the canvas and afterwards head back to Oscar Taylor’s on the Coast Road for a light lunch. Then back to office in Swords to write back to the enquirers on the doorsteps.

Once 6pm came, out again to meet rural constituents in Oldtown and in Garristown. Expected a frosty reception after the legislation to take the terror and the risk of a serious road accident out of stag hunting. Glad to say however, many people were very warm-hearted and supportive. There were exceptions however!

We were back to Oldtown, Garristown and Ballymadun on Sunday morning too. Met many people I have known for decades through farming, drama, sport, natural history or Irish language  and music circles. Thanks to Fiona and Stiofán for the welcome cuppa in the middle of all the running around.

The atrocious condition of many roads after the severe winter weather has caused potholes to join together. Not surprisingly, I hit one such stretch and suffered a puncture. We’ll have to find the money to fix these roads from somewhere, they are lethal.

 

Former Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan and former Minister for Food, Trevor Sargent at the launch of the Green Party's "oil Free by 2030" campaign

Sunday afternoon was spent in Dublin advocating how Ireland can ‘live well without the oil-well’ by 2030 AD. Sweden began this strategy in 2006 and has 2020 as the year for Sweden to be oil free. Sweden set up a Commission chaired by the Prime Minister and involving the likes of Volvo to plan and set targets to stop using fossil oils. As for Sweden, the benefits are important.

 

An oil-free future means : 1. Reduce climate change impact, 2. Secure energy supply, 3. Lead other nations in developing sustainable technology, 4. Strengthen international competitiveness, 5. Develop forests, field, wind and water to make the equivalent of ‘Irish oil wells’ for home use as well as for export.

Makes one wonder why no other party has the pragmatic vision to make the oil-free objective a central part of the nation’s recovery and future prosperity. Wake up folks, this society is sleep-walking to the edge of energy supply as we have known it. We must stop wasting, grow our indigenous energy sources and set our children on a Greener road to prosperity. Already the Green Party has doubled the amount of wind power in the grid to 15%, but our work is a bit like Noah building the ark. Time is running out. Vote Green and do your positive bit to float the economy and save the precious things in life from being lost.

Campaign Update – Day 17

Published 18 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Politics Closed

Friday, 18 February, 2011

In between canvassing in Skerries and Swords, Trevor took the time to visit his Swords constituency office and catch up on some paperwork. Here’s a glimpse into the “back room” of the campaign were so much time is spent following up on issues that have been raised on the canvass; and what a variety of issues there is!

 

INSPECTING NEW SCHOOL SITE, BALBRIGGAN AND GETTING SCHOOL CROSSING IN SKERRIES

Published 18 February, 2011 Balbriggan , Election , Fingal news , Skerries Closed

Friday, 18 February 2011

First things first on a Friday, I set up tea and coffee making facilities for the stallholders and helpers at Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market. We expect Stephanie Moe from Bord Bia to drop by see the market as it was the first Dublin market to be awarded the Bord Bia Good Paractise Certificate.

Trevor Sargent meeting parents and teachers on the Naul Road site of Coláiste Ghlór na Mara.

Had a meeting then with some parents with buggies and teachers at the new site which will soon hopefully see construction of the first All-Irish Post Primary Secondary School serving the Dublin North / South Louth hinterland. At present there are eight primary schools, mainly Gaelscoileanna who have 460 pupils graduating who want to continue their education through Irish at this new school, Coláiste Ghlór na Mara. I have spoken with the Tánaiste/Minister’s advisor again this morning and I know the Tánaiste is ‘actively considering’ the request made for recognition and an immediate go-ahead as we have the site, the pupils and a temporary school building available right away. I expect to be talking to the Tánaiste again about this later today.

Then back to the market to buy some fresh food and ask stallholders how they are getting on. Off to Skerries then, where I got a warm Skerries welcome. We discussed everything from getting a zebra crossing to the challenges of ex-SRT staff to development work in Africa to apprenticeships to fitting hand rails and showers to farmers’ markets to services for people with Parkinson’s Disease etc.

Home for a bite to eat before heading to the Constituency to design another leaflet before the evening canvass this time in Swords. Better bring the brolly and the heavy brogues as there is the look of rain in that sky. I doubt we will be appreciating the light of a full moon tonight.

Campaign Update – Day 16

Published 17 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Politics , Skerries Closed

Thursday, 17 February, 2011

We catch up with Trevor as he canvasses in Skerries. We ask him what his day has been like and he gives us a fascinating glimpse into the life of a campaigning candidate. Not for the faint-hearted!



SORTING SCHOOL ISSUES FROM BALBRIGGAN TO SWORDS TO DONABATE TO SKERRIES

Published 17 February, 2011 Donabate , Election , Fingal news , Politics , Skerries , Swords Closed

Thursday, 17 February, 2011

Another early rise to meet commuters in Skerries boarding trains going south and going north as well as those coming to school or to work in Skerries. Glad to be joined by helpers such as Zoe, Frank, Diarmuid and George when the numbers were large and everyone was in a hurry. Had a good few chats with those who had a little more time to talk.

Trevor Sargent pays a viisit to Donabate Community College

Then dropped in to Donabate Community College to meet Principal Ms Olive Laffoy, the Green Team Leaders., to congratulate two Young Scientist entries and the brains behind them, as well as speak with  a CSPE class I had previously shown around Leinster House. The lovely coffee and biscuits was much appreciated too.

On to Swords then for a canvass during which I was in contact with the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills about securing recognition and a go-ahead for Coláiste Ghlór na Mara, an Irish medium secondary school to serve the Gaelscoileanna and other pupils with a love of Irish in the North County Dublin area.

A brief stop for a bowl of soup for canvassers in Adam’s Apple Cafe and Restaurant, a great place to meet in Applewood, Swords. On then for a meeting with Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce and then an evening canvass in Skerries. Fingers crossed for no more rain this evening.

Campaign Update – Day 15

Published 16 February, 2011 Balbriggan , Balrothery , Election , Fingal news , Politics Closed

Wednesday, 16 February, 2011

Speaking from Balbiggan, Trevor Sargent describes some of the work he has been doing locally, in partcular developing safe routes to school in nearby Balrothery.

GOOD TO SEE MY LOCAL WORK BEARING FRUIT FOR SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES

Published 16 February, 2011 Balbriggan , Balrothery , Election , Fingal news , Politics Closed

Wednesday, 17 February, 2011

Meetings in the morning about unresolved planning enforcement issues which are infuriating in the way the builders and planning authority have made the lives of residents a hell. I have huge file from fighting on behalf of the residents which involved getting a meeting for residents with the Minister for Sustainable Planning, Ciaran Cuffe TD.. I’ll try again to get satisfaction for the  residents affected.

Then on to south Balbriggan and Balrothery. Glad to see the safe route needed for Balrothery NS pupils is making progress. A few months ago, I asked the Council’s Mairead Phelan to meet parents, teachers and parents when school was finishing to take a walk towards Balbriggan Golf Club with the children and a few parents. Apart from all concerned getting complimentary high-visibility vests, the plan to widen the path is now almost complete. The school will now be consulted and the work carried out over the summer holidays.

We moved then to the centre of Balbriggan and ended up in a lovely new cafe and restaurant called ‘Preserved’ on Dublin Street near George’s Square. This business grew from the stall in Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market run by Karl Rogers, his father Michael and business partner Shane Mc Carthy. Having sussed what flavours of soups, pastries, savoury dishes etc went down well with Balbriggan folk and visitors, the talented chefs opened a premises to develop their business further.

It was a pleasure to see my vision of what the Market each Friday morning on the Square in Balbriggan could do. Likewise when I began Irish classes in the Bracken Court Hotel, I had a vision this could lead to establishing a local Gaelscoil. I called a public meeting to get a Coiste Bunaithe elected to make this vision a reality. Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigin and the other Gaelscoileanna in Dublin North are now so successful that tonight there is another public meeting to progress the establishment of a secondary Irish medium Gaelcholáiste Ghlór na Mara. I am very impressed by the calibre of volunteers who are doing the heavy lifting in this project and hopefully this latest vision will become a reality before long as well.

Off now to canvass more of Ros Eo this evening, before that public meeting in Halla and Bhaile, Baile Brigín.

YEARS OF WORK PAYING OFF WITH NEW SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR KINSEALY MELROSE ON THE WAY

Published 15 February, 2011 Community , Election , Fingal news , Kinsealy , Politics Closed

Tuesday, 15 February, 2011.

Tuesday began with a two  hour session meeting commuters outside Malahide Train Station beginning at a frosty dark hour of 7am.  We handed out a four page comprehensive update on work and progress with various transport projects from extending the DART to Balbriggan to Metro to the cycle and walkway across the Malahide estuary.

Afterwards, attended a Carers’ Association meeting for election candidates as one of three who turned up. Darragh and Clare were there too but where were the Labour and Fine Gael candidates? Maybe they feel they are already elected! They missed a very informative presentation and useful discussion. The message to me was carers also need to be cared for. Their responsibilities take a toll in many ways and Government needs to support them for the sake of their own health but also because they save huge costs for the state by preventing mass-hospitalisation of elderly  and infirm citizens.

Many many people I have worked with in Kinsealy Melrose area. Sadly others like Liam Rogers as a community leader and Rosaleen O’Toole as a marvellous event organizer for young people in the area, have now passed on at tragically young ages in each case.  Their legacies live on however and the building work in the new Scoil an Duinnínigh and the soon to start work on the new Community Centre will provide the long-awaited facilities this community needs.

When a church group come to my Swords clinic and separately the community representatives, I thought these groups could achieve more if we all worked together for the common good. I am especially happy, therefore,  that the co-operation of the community and a new church congregation Swords Baptist Church now  working together are providing a shared facility which reflects tolerance, vision and a mutually beneficial resulting building for all concerned.  John O’Brien in Fingal County Council tells me the public consultation six-week period is due to start soon so keep an eye on the local press or on www.fingalcoco.ie to have your say on this important development.

Campaign Update – Day 14

Published 15 February, 2011 Community , Election , Fingal news , Kinsealy , Politics Closed
Tags: ,

Tuesday, 15 February, 2011

On the site of what will shortly be the new school building for Scoil an Duinninigh in Kinsealy, Trevor Sargent gives an update on the progress of the new building.

Campaign Update – Day 13

Published 14 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Lusk , Politics Closed

Monday, 14 February, 2011

We join Trevor in Lusk, where he and the Green team are calling on residents in Chapel Farm. It’s a very cold night, but, thankfully, dry. One issue that has been raised repeatedly in the area is the lack of a secondary school.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Trevor's latest photos

Future museum?

Clear target

Tonight with Vincent Browne and others

More Photos

News Archive

RSS Green Party news

  • An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.

Visitor count:

wordpress stat
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.