Chief Executive and Mayors Message

The Christmas period is in full swing now and it is wonderful to see so many people out and about enjoying all the wonderful events that are happening across the County. I would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to my staff for making these opportunities take place and for their efforts delivering so many other initiatives across 2022.

While there have been many projects undertaken this year, one of the major focuses of our work has been around the Fingal Draft Development Plan (2023-2029). This will help shape Fingal for the future when it comes to important issues such as housing, economic development, community and heritage. We are now moving ever closer to the final version of this being adopted, and I would like to thank Councillors and Fingal staff for tireless efforts throughout the entire process.

Alongside this, I was pleased to welcome the approval by Councillors of the Swords Cultural Quarter. This is one of the most significant projects in our Capital Programme and will help deliver a new state-of-theart County Library as well as an art gallery and exhibition space, a café, a civic area, studios and rehearsal rooms, and a much-needed theatre.

Meanwhile the Council’s Active Travel team continues to take action on environmental change as they progress through several projects like the ‘Safe Routes to School’, expansion of TIER bikes across all areas in Fingal and the Light Up Your Bike initiative.

As we are in the festive period, I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight some holiday reminders:

Over Christmas, our offices will close to the public at 4.30pm on Friday, December 23, 2022 and reopen at 9.00am on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Please note the customercareunit@fingal.ie inbox will not be monitored during this period, so for emergencies during these times please ring 01 8905000.

Details including opening times for Libraries, Recycling Centres and Christmas Tree Collection Points can also be found here.

Finally, on behalf of Fingal’s staff I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year

-AnnMarie Farrelly

Mayor’s Message

This is a time of year that many people look forward to and it is made particularly special by all of Fingal’s towns beautifully decorated in holiday finery, I’d like to say many thanks to everyone who has helped make the Christmas markets and tree lighting events that I’ve had the pleasure to attend such a success

As we look to usher in a New Year, I have been reflecting on the number of opportunities I have already had to travel around the county and engage with so many residents as part of my role. There are so many people across Fingal who are thoroughly deserving of our continuing gratitude for the work they have do and the commitment they have for helping other. For these people especially, may you find time to relax and be fully re-energized as we move into 2023.

Housing is one of my major priorities, so I was delighted to be able to recently welcome the Taoiseach to officially open the Ladyswell social housing scheme in Mulhuddart which consists of 65 properties, a third of which are dedicated age-friendly homes. We were also able to tour the Council’s largest housing development at Church Fields which will deliver around 1,000 new affordable and social homes on this publicly owned 37-hectare site.

This year I’ve been also been stressing how important it is that we look to not only embrace the power of community partnership, but that we take the time to consider views and experiences that are different from our own. I was delighted to celebrate this year’s Inclusion Week, when many events took place to highlight the excellent work the community groups and the Council have been doing to deliver a wide range of community initiatives and services, be it to support older people, members of ethnic minority communities, young people and children.

Of course, Christmas is not just about receiving gifts and spending time with loved ones, but a time when we should all be inspired to reach out to others. Please be kind to one another, especially those who may not have family and friends around or who just need that little extra support, particularly at a time when it is so cold.

I would like to thank the people of Fingal for the opportunity to represent them, and my fellow Councillors for all their support throughout what has been a busy six months. May I also take this opportunity to commend the Council staff who work so hard to improve the lives of those around them.

So, as the celebrations begin, I’d like to wish everyone in Fingal a Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

-Cllr Howard Mahony