Nealerichmond nl spring15

Cllr. NEALE

Cllr. NEALE RICHMOND Rugby World Cup 2023 Following months of preparation and discussion lead by former international Hugo MacNeill, the IRFU backed by the Government and the Northern Executive launched a bid in December to host the 2023 rugby world cup. The next step will be the appointment of a bid committee.

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The bid process will involve the development of a detailed programme, covering match schedules and venues, accommodation, international access, internal transport, communications infrastructure and community involvement. It is anticipated that the delivery of a world class bid will cost €1.5 million.

The GAA has previously agreed that it would make its stadia available for the staging of matches and it will now be up to the bid team to put together a specific match schedule in line with the requirements of World Rugby (formerly the International Rugby Board).

Neale with Ireland rugby Captain Paul O’Connell

The decision to appoint a host union for a Rugby World Cup is taken by World Rugby, the international governing body for rugby, following a very detailed process which culminates in a meeting of all member Unions at which the final decision is made. It is expected the decision on Rugby World Cup 2023 will be taken in mid-2017.

Richmond reappointed to the Committee of the Regions

Neale with Brian Hayes MEP. Brian was elected to the European Parliament in May 2014 to represent the Dublin constituency. In the Parliament Brian sits as a full member of the powerful Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee while he is a substitute member of the Development Committee.

You can stay up-to-date with Brian’s work in the European Parliament by subscribing to his regular E-Newsletter by emailing brian.hayes@ep.europa.eu with the subject line “NEWSLETTER”.

In January Neale was reappointed by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD as one of the nine Irish members on the Committee of the Regions.

The role of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) is to put forward local and regional points of view on EU legislation. It does so by issuing reports (‘opinions’) on European Commission proposals.

Neale has a keen interest in European Affairs based on academic and professional pursuits and he feels strongly about the need to translate the benefits Irish involvement in Europe has on people’s everyday lives.

Budget 2015 In November, the Fine Gael led Council passed its budget for 2015 which succeeded in maintaining and expanding current levels of service while also reducing local taxes and charges.

There are also significant new initiatives proposed within the budget to support local communities and improve quality of life for those living in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. These include:

The budget enables the implementation of a range of increased provisions and initiatives that support local businesses and the local economy. These include: A reduction in Commercial Rates by 2.5%.

A reduction of the maximum 15% to the basic rate of Local Property Tax in 2015.

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The establishment of Local Community Development Committee and the development of a Local Economic and Community Plan for approval by the Council in 2015.

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The official opening of dlr LexIcon, the most significant piece of cultural infrastructure in the county and a key community space where all are welcome.

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The upgrade of litter bins throughout the County with new smart bins.

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An additional €300,000 in funding for an urban village enhancement and promotion programme.

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To incentivise occupation of vacant premises, the budget provides for a reduction in vacancy refund rate from 100% to 75%.

The establishment of the first Strategic Policy Committee with a specific remit in the area of Economic Development for the County.

The provision of free Wi-Fi to the Sandyford Business District.

The establishment of a DLR Age Friendly Alliance and the development of an action plan to promote age friendly living for the County.

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Neale and fellow members of Young Fine Gael at the launch of the youth wing’s policy document

Neale pictured with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD during the recent local election campaign.

Your local Fine Gael team Cllr Neale Richmond, Olivia Mitchell TD, Alan Shatter TD and Brian Hayes MEP

Neale speaking at a recent meeting with Minister Michael Noonan where Neale raised concerns about the Local Property Tax and the pending revaluation of property prices.

Neale pictured with Olivia Mitchell TD and supporters following his successful re-election to Dún LaoghaireRathdown County Council last May. Neale was re-elected to represent the Glencullen-Sandyford Ward on the first count.

Cllr Neale Richmond was re-elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in May 2014. First elected in 2009, Neale was educated locally in Wesley College before graduating from UCD with a BA in History and an MA in Political Science.

Neale currently works in the not for profit sector as a Project Manager, prior to this he worked for Olivia Mitchell in Dáil Éireann and for Gay Mitchell in the European Parliament in Brussels.

A keen sportsman, Neale is heavily involved in a number of local clubs and community groups; he is currently Director of Rugby in Old Wesley RFC.

Contact Neale: 23 Kingston Heights, Ballinteer, Dublin 16 Mobile: 086 781 4514 Web: www.nealerichmond.ie Email: neale.richmond@gmail.com Cllr. Neale Richmond @nealerichmond

Cllr. NEALE

RICHMOND Minor works for local schools 27 primary schools in our area will receive a total funding of €306,453 to improve their physical infrastructure and invest in I.T. equipment and furniture.

The following schools secured funding under the Minor Works Grant scheme: St Mary’s National School, Taney National School, St. Brigid’s Boys National School, St. Brigid’s Girls National School, Kilternan Church of Ireland National School, St Brigid’s National School, Scoil Naomh Lorcan, St. Raphaela’s National School, St Patrick’s National School, Scoil San Treasa, St Michael’s Special Neale presenting awards at the School, Our Lady’s Boys School, St Olaf’s National School, Our Lady’s Grove Primary School, Our Matheson Junior Debating competition held in Wesley College.

Lady’s Girls School, Scoil Naithi, St. Attracta’s Junior National School, St. Attracta’s Senior National School, Queen of Angels Primary School, Holy Cross National School, Our Lady’s National School, Rathfarnham Educate Together, the Islamic National School, Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille and Holy Trinity National School.

Pupils will benefit from these improvements which will help make their schools better environments to learn in. This Government is investing in our schools and ensuring that despite economic constraints, young people can learn in safe and secure buildings.

Newsletter Ballawley Park trim trail A number of years ago the Council installed exercise equipment throughout Ballawley Park to form a trim trail. Such a scheme is also in existence in other parks such as Cabinteely and Marlay providing activities for all ages. The one major drawback, however, has been the lack of a footpath connecting the equipment in Ballawley Park. Following representations from Neale and Olivia Mitchell TD, the Council have agreed to build a new footpath connecting up the trim trail in the coming months. The Council have also installed new signage at the entrances to Ballawley Park and they have increased litter and dog fouling patrols.

In total €28 million was provided by the Department of Education and Skills in 2014 under the Minor Works Grant.

Fernhill update

Marlay Park concerts review Following a record number of complaints, at my request, the Council carried out a thorough review of the Marlay Park concerts.

This included receiving representations from members of the public, meeting local residents associations, meetings with the promoter and meetings with the Gardaí. Following these Councillors were given a full briefing.

As it stands, the Council is in a contract that allows for concerts up to the end of 2015 and they are in discussions with the promoters in relation to how many concerts will take place this summer with a number of high profile acts being looked at to play either in July or August.

The Council has sought to address a number of the issues raised during the consultation process such as traffic congestion, noise pollution, anti-social behaviour, parking in estates and access to the park on concert days.

The issue of how many concerts will be held has not been decided yet but the promoter is entitled to apply for a license for up to a dozen concerts, although it is expected that 2015 will either see less concerts or a shorter window when concerts will be held.

Neale with local Councillors Pat Hand and Barry Saul at the opening of the new artificial pitches in Marlay Park attended

by Ireland Manager Martin O’Neill and FAI CEO John Delaney.

Samuel Beckett Civic Campus – Phase 1 The Samuel Beckett Civic Campus – Phase 1 is progressing well.

The full size GAA pitch and senior and junior pitches are complete as is the skate park. The three synthetic pitches are well underway and will be completed shortly.

The combined sports and crèche building has seen the installation of specially designed beams and columns recently arrived from Austria.

A small building which will house ESB works, Eircom and a plant room is almost complete.

The majority of the groundwork’s are underway, with an extensive storm drainage system including manholes and an attenuation pond almost complete.

Also complete is the foul drainage system around the building.

Works to be commenced in the spring include building facades, glazing and internal fit out. Water main installation, fencing and completion of the synthetic pitches are also priority items. Completion is expected in late summer 2015.

23 Kingston Heights, Ballinteer, Dublin 16 Mobile: 086 781 4514 Email: neale.richmond@gmail.com Web: www.nealerichmond.ie Facebook: Cllr. Neale Richmond Twitter: @nealerichmond

In November, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council finalised the purchase of Fernhill Gardens from NAMA for a fee of €4.25 million. This followed on from a cross party motion unanimously passed in the previous Council term.

The Council will now seek to develop the estate into a public park with the potential to install commercial units such as a café in the old house. The back fields of the estate will also be considered as sites for possible new pitches if feasible.

Neale with Minister Simon Harris TD and local members of Young Fine Gael following a public meeting on “young people in politics” held in Goatstown.

Ballinteer Road Upgrade After many representations the Council has put out to public consultation, a new scheme that it is hoped will ease congestion on the Ballinteer Road. Phase one of the scheme will see new markings and lay out as well as the installation of traffic lights at the entrance to College Park/Delbrook Manor. Phase two will see the installation of traffic lights at Wesley College.

Dublin Bus fare hikes will further hurt business as well as commuters Neale has criticised Dublin Bus following the company’s decision to increase fares this January.

Under the new fares, travelling in the capital became more expensive from the 1st January 2015, with all prices up by at least 15 cent, with a 25 cent increase to the longest journeys.

For example, under the new rules, a commuter will now pay €3.30 to travel on the 16 bus from Ballinteer into the City Centre, an increase of 25 cent. Passenger numbers have fallen by 20% in five years at Dublin Bus, yet somehow the solution from the company is to increase fares for those that have stayed loyal to the company and to this form of commuting.

The background to this, sees the government subvention to the company remaining at €60 million for 2015, yet the company is projecting a €3 million surplus!

Neale strongly believes that the problem is a symptom of a monopoly on bus services in the capital, and that the market should be opened up to private operators, this would see truly competitive fares.