Constituency OfficeI had the pleasure of Taoiseach Enda Kenny opening my constituency office on Saturday 7th May. Despite the rain a large crowd turned out to see the opening of the office, which I hope will see much traffic over the coming years.

Anthony Lawlor TD - Working for the people of County Kildare

Anthony Lawlor’s Newsletter

I am most grateful to the people of Kildare

North for electing me to represent them in Dáil

Éireann. I am honoured to be in this position

and intend to do my best for the people and

area of Kildare North. I have recently opened a

constituency office in Naas, which is open daily,

and I encourage you to drop in if you wish to raise

an issue with me. I would also be more than happy

to organise tours to Dáil Éireann for individuals,

groups or schools. After all it is your parliament!

Please do not hesitate to give my Dáil office a call

on 01 6183007 or email me at Anthony.lawlor@

oireachtas.ie to arrange a tour.

I look forward to meeting with you.

A message from Anthony

Nugent ManufacturingI want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Stephen Nugent, the managing director, and all the staff at Nugent Manufacturing, Naas on the magnificent steel structure they recently built, allowing gardener Diarmuid Gavin to take gold at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. It is wonderful that the town of Naas had an input into such a huge Irish achievement overseas.

I had the pleasure of visiting Nugent Manufacturing the day the “pod” was completed and I was amazed at the detail and work which was involved to complete this structure.

100 Days in OfficeI am very happy with the achievements of the new Government since the election on 25th February. On Thursday 16th June, the Government was in office for 100 days and, as promised, addressed three main areas of concern:

• the design of a smaller and more effective banking system;

• a Jobs Initiative which has set about changing the VAT and employer PRSI rates; the creation of an internship programme and restoring the minimum wage;

• much needed reform of the political system with an overhaul of ministerial transportation; political staffing arrangements and corporate donations, and a commitment to hold bye-elections within six months.

These actions among many more, which were implemented in just the first 100 days, demonstrate the commitment by the Government to fulfil their election promises.

The final product at the Chelsea Flower Show

With Stephen Nugent in the workshop the morning after the structure was finally completed.

Anthony Lawlor Newslet July11.indd 1 15/07/2011 15:12

Funding for road projectsI was delighted to learn that as part of the recently announced Jobs Initiative, €5m of the total funds of €15m for smarter travel and public transport initiatives, has been allocated to schemes in the Greater Dublin Area (including Kildare). The types of works being funded include bus corridor road improvements, pedestrian crossings, cycle routes, footpaths, and pedestrianisation projects. Included in this funding is €200,000 for improving the Kilcullen Road Junction. This work will involve signalising the junction known as “Swan” in Naas and will provide significant safety and utility improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

ANThONy LAwLOr TD • Tel: 045 888488 • Email: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ie • www.anthonylawlor.ie

I had the pleasure of being in College Green on May 23rd to hear two wonderfully inspiring speeches by our Taoiseach Enda Kenny and US President Obama. A day to remember!

Online Motor Tax facility for commercial vehiclesIn response to a Dáil Question I tabled to Transport Minister Leo Varadkar, I was delighted to learn that plans are in place to enable commercial vehicles to avail of the online motor tax service. He informed me that currently 85% of the national vehicle fleet can be taxed online and arrangements are at an advanced stage in his Department to enable a further 327,000 commercial vehicles to be taxed online, when covered by a current roadworthiness certificate. The implementation of these reform measures will provide a more efficient service to small businesses, many of which are currently struggling, by easing an unnecessary administrative burden. Private cars can currently be taxed online at www.motortax.ie

State visitsThe visits of Queen Elizabeth II and President Obama to Ireland in May catapulted Ireland onto the international stage and showcased the country as a spectacular tourist destination. Resulting from the Queen’s visit to Kildare alone, tourist accommodation in the county (according to Hotels.com) has seen a 191% increase in web hits from the UK, 111% from the US and 225% from within Ireland.

I was particularly impressed by the security provided by the Irish services throughout both state visits. Credit must be given to the Gardaí and the Irish Defence Force for the excellent work undertaken in preparing for the visits and executing their security duties during the week.

I was also delighted to see Queen Elizabeth II inspect the Captains Guard of Honour, under the command of local Naas man Captain Thomas Holmes (5th Infantry Battalion). This was a great honour for Captain Holmes, his family and for his Battalion. You did Naas proud!

Congratulations

I would like to congratulate Cllr. Fintan

Brett on winning the recent co-option

convention for Kildare County Council,

and becoming my replacement as local

councillor for the area. I wish him every

success in his new role. I would also like

to extend my warmest congratulations to

Mary Ann O’Brien who was nominated by

Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the Seanad. I am

delighted that her contribution to society

and to County Kildare has been recognised

at such a level.

Arthurstown Community Grants

Congratulations to all organisations

successful in their application

for funding from the Arthurstown

Landfill Community Scheme. All

funding has now been allocated.

Osberstown Sewerage Treatment Plant

It is expected that the expansion to

the Osberstown Sewerage Treatment

Plant is due to go to tender later this

year, with construction commencing in

early 2012. Shortly after completion of

construction, upgrading of the network

will follow. Priority will be given to the

Sallins Section which will ensure that

works will be completed as early as

possible. This proposed upgrading of the

plant will address the current sewerage

issue in Sallins.Kerdiffstown Landfill Site

I have met with the EPA to discuss

the ongoing issues associated and

the remediation of this landfill site.

Naas Town Development Plans 2011 – 2017The Naas Town Development Plan for 2011-2017 came into effect on 6th June 2011. The details of the plan can be accessed at http://www.kildare.ie/naastowncouncil/.

All Politics is LocalNew shop openings in Naas I was delighted to attend the opening of two new commercial businesses in Naas which have brought a jobs boost to the town. Located at the new Monread Shopping Centre, Argos has employed 30 people and Boots have employed 13 new staff member, in addition to those employed in the town already. It is also great to see in the town centre the new Sweet Emporium with long queues out the door every day after school closes and the delightful aroma wafting from the new bakery on North Main Street, Sunflower Bakery.

‘Swan Junction’ Naas

Anthony Lawlor Newslet July11.indd 2 15/07/2011 15:12

ANThONy LAwLOr TD • Tel: 045 888488 • Email: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ie • www.anthonylawlor.ie

National IssuesThe Irish political world has been rocked by the passing of three great politicians within a very short timeframe. Former Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald was one of the great social reformers of our time. His foresight in terms of social justice, equality and Ireland’s place within the European Union was to bring this county in line with other modern European states. This sad passing was followed by that of another great Fine Gael politician Declan Costelloe, whose Just Society policy became a blueprint for the party to follow. Sadly, former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan also lost his brave battle with cancer at a young age and his presence in Dáil Éireann will be missed by the Fianna Fáil party in particular but also by Deputies from every political background. I wish to extend my sincere sympathies to the families of all three men.

Third Level Grant Applications The time of year is here again for students to apply for a third level grant. The forms and accompanying notes are available on the Department of Education website www.studentfinance.ie. There will also be a supply of application forms available in my constituency office where I can also assist you with any questions you may have regarding the process. You should apply early to avoid delay! If you have any queries regarding the Grant Scheme you can contact the Higher Education Section of Kildare County Council on 045 980202 or email heg@kildarecoco.ieYou should however be aware that Budget 2011 introduced a number of changes to the STuDeNT GrANT SCheme: 1: reduction in overall rates of grant• A reduction of 4% is to be applied to the rates of all student

grants since January 2011 • This reduction applies to all existing grant holders and to new

grant holders alike. 2: Qualifying distance criterion for non-adjacent rate of grant• The qualifying distance criterion for entitlement to the higher

non-adjacent rate of grant (distance from home to the higher education institution) has been changed from 15 miles (24

kilometres) to 45 kilometres and applies to all students.• The implementation date is the start of the 2011-2012 academic

year.C: Automatic entitlement of mature students to non-adjacent rate of grant.• The automatic entitlement of mature students to the higher non-

adjacent rate of payment has been removed.• The implementation date is the start of the 2011-2012 academic

year.

Minster Alan Shatter has announced a new scheme whereby, save in exceptional circumstances, persons applying for citizenship will now be given a decision on their application within six months. On 17th June a new application form for naturalisation became available on www.inis.gov.ie. This more simplistic application form aims to dramatically reduce the numbers incorrectly completed and will substantially

contribute to more efficient and streamlined processing times.A new Citizenship Ceremony has also been introduced to give proper recognition to the importance of a person being granted Irish citizenship. There are also new streamlined and accelerated checking procedures for certain categories of applicants such as spouses of Irish citizens and applicants recently granted long term residency.

The introduction of this scheme also aims to address the unemployment crisis. Plans are in place to recruit an appropriate number of interns under the new Internship Programme announced in the Government’s Jobs Initiative to assist in areas dealing with naturalisation applications such as the Citizenship Section of the Department of Justice and Equality and the Garda Vetting Office.

National Internship SchemeAs part of the Government’s Jobs Initiative, a new National Internship Scheme was announced. This is a time limited scheme operating for two years only with 5,000 places. Internship placements will operate for a 6 to 9 month period with the payment of €50 per week additional to social welfare entitlements. It will operate in the private, public and voluntary sectors. The National Internship Scheme will be available to individuals who are on the Live Register and have been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit or signing on for credits for at least 3 months.

Further information on this scheme can be found at http://www.jobbridge.ie/en/internship.htm.

Changes to Citizenship Application Scheme announced

Anthony Lawlor Newslet July11.indd 3 15/07/2011 15:12

Dáil Business• I have been appointed to the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs,

Social Protection and Education.

• I have also spoken in the Dáil on a number of issues such as suicide prevention, white collar crime and the landfill sites in Arthurstown and Kerdiffstown.

• I have engaged in a number of Dáil debates and raised on the Adjournment of the Dáil the need to extend water services to facilitate the new development at Intel.

To keep up to date with my activities in the Dáil and to see footage of my Dáil speeches join me on Facebook.

Some useful contact details:Kildare County Council (045) 980200................... www.kildarecoco.ieNaas Town Council (045) 980990................... www.kildare.ie/naastowncouncilHSE Local Health Office (045) 873 200 ................. St. Mary’s, Craddockstown Road, NaasNaas Citizens Information Board (045) 879 489.................. www.citizensinformation.ieNaas Social Welfare Office (045) 884430/884431..... Unit 2, Rathesker Square, NaasNaas Garda Station (045 897 333) .................Kilcullen Road, NaasNaas General Hospital (045) 897 221.................. www.hse.ie Naas Fire Station (045) 879964KDOC (out of hours GP Service) 1890 599 362 ..................Vista Primary Care Campus, Ballymore Rd., Naas

ANThONy LAwLOr TDEmail: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ie

Constituency Office: 56 South Main Street, Naas, Co. KildareContact Number: 045 888488Opening Hours: 9am -12am & 3pm – 5pm

Clinics: Naas – Every Monday 4pm – 7pm

Website: www.anthonylawlor.ieFind me on Facebook

0612

your Local Naas Fine Gael Team:

CLLr. FintAn Brett MCC

E mail: fintanpbrett@gmail.com Address: 5 Johnstown Gardens,

Johnstown, Naas. Contact Number: 087 6257842

CLLr. DArren SCuLLy MCC tCEmail: dpscully@hotmail.com

Address: 3 Kerdiff Park, Naas, Co. Kildare.

Contact Number: 086-3860955

CLLr. ALAn O’KeLLy tC

Email: alanok2009@gmail.com Address: 67 Oak Glade,

Blessington Road, Naas, Co. Kildare.

CLLr. eMer McDAiD tC

Email: eimearmcdaid@hotmail.com Address: 11 Maple Walk, Oldtown Demesne, Naas,

Co Kildare.

Anthony Lawlor Newslet July11.indd 4 15/07/2011 15:12