Anthony Lawlor TD - Working for the people of Kildare North

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 a

constituency office in Naas, which is open daily, and I am

holding a clinic in Celbridge every Thursday evening so I

encourage you to drop in or contact me if you wish to raise

an issue. 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

Increased funding for Winter Road Maintenance Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, has allocated an extra €1.25 million to help local authorities around the country with winter maintenance and keeping roads clear during harsh weather. The total being allocated nationally comes to €11.25 million, with Kildare County Council set to receive €262,788, an increase of €29,199. According to recent reports in the press, we are set to have another cold winter and it is reassuring to know that the Council will be prepared for extreme weather conditions.

Funding to upgrade Louisa Bridge and Confey train stationsFunding of €2 million is being provided to Iarnród Éireann to upgrade the railway stations on the Maynooth line. This line had been one of the fastest growing routes in the Irish Rail network with approximately 15,000 passenger journeys daily. Despite the fact that the train services along this line have been modernised over recent years, the stations, however, have not been upgraded since construction and are now in need of modernisation. Therefore the following elements are included in the proposed works:

• Building structural, platform and lighting improvements;• New customer shelters and furniture on platforms

incorporating new seating;• Upgrade of station signage plus new information panels;• New signage on approach roads;• Upgrade of electrical services at each station.

These works will provide a cleaner, brighter more welcoming experience for the customer. It is anticipated that these station upgrade works will be completed by year end. The overall estimated cost of the refurbishment programme is €2 million.

Be sure to vote!On the 27th October, Irish citizens are being given an opportunity to vote for the next President of Ireland. Because of the successful two term tenure of President Mary McAleese, the last time a vote was put to the people was in 1997. The role of the President has evolved in recent decades to become more high profile and the recent state visits by both Queen Elizabeth II and President Obama are testimony to this. Therefore, I encourage people to use their democratic right to vote at this very important election and I hope there will be a high turnout on the day.

Winners of Leixlip Tidy Estates, Front Gardens and Adopt an Area competitionsFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who made an effort to make Leixlip a prettier and tidier town. Their hard work throughout the year should be recognised and commended. Well done!

Congratulations to all the winners in the various categories of this local competition.

Front Gardens1st Joint Winners: Eamon & Catherine Farrell, 1027 Avondale & Kevin Carey, 52 Lougnamona ParkAward for Innovation: Christie Muldoon, 1048 AvondaleAward for the Best Lawn: Valerie Colton, 120 Glendale Meadows Most Improved Garden: Mary McHugh, St. Catherine’s Bungalow2nd front Garden: The O’Connor Family, 56 Castletown3rd front garden: Mary & Paddy Haughney, 59 Leixlip Park4th front garden: Marian Lyons, 39 Riverforest, 5th front garden: Brigid Lambe, 70 Oaklawn6th Front garden: Mary Keane, 47 Forest Park7th front garden: Patricia Kinnane, 35 Glendale

Highly commended: Kathleen Poynton, 181 Glendale Meadows; Keelan & Nancy Doolan, 95 Leixlip Park; Bill & Angela Leahy, 9 Forest Park; Gordon & Mabel Long, 341 Castletown; Nancy Dunne, 1034 Avondale; Mary Geraghty, 249 Castletown; Raymond Kilpatrick, 208 Ryevale Lawns; Kay McLoughlin, 3 Forest Park.

Estate WinnersSmall estate category1st prize: Ryemont AbbeyJoint 2nd prize: Loughnamona & Rockingham

Medium Estate Category1st prize: Leixlip Park2nd prize: Duncarraig

Large Estate Category1st prize: Ryevale Lawns

Adopt an areaSmall area winner –Old Hill, two flower beds on left and right adopted by I.C.A.Small area runner up – the side of Rose Cottage adopted by John & Valerie Malone,Large area winner –Barnhall Roundabout, adopted by Leixlip Tidy Town Association.Large area runner up –Leixlip Garda Station, Adopted by Ryevale Lawns Residents

Overall WinnersAdopt an Area: Leixlip Tidy Town Association for the work on the Barnhall RoundaboutFront Garden Competition: John and Valerie Malone of Rose CottageBest Overall Estate: Castletown Estate

With Halloween approaching, I urge everyone planning a celebration to do so in a safe and careful manner. It is always wonderful to see so many adults and children take to the streets on this date but regrettably every year carelessness results in personal injury and damage to property. Let’s make Halloween 2011 a fun and safe one! For emergencies contact Leixlip fire station on (01 6244455).

Congratulations to Town

Councillor Joe Neville on his

appointment as Cathaoirleach of

Leixlip Town Council. I wish him

all the best in his new role.

Well done to all involved in the Tidy Towns

Committee. It is great to see that Leixlip

increased the number of points awarded

to it by the judging panel in the 2011

National Competition. In 2012 Leixlip will

celebrate its 50th anniversary of entry into

the competition and it would be great to

see the points increase further.

It is with regret

that Fr. Michael

Hurley, former

Leixlip Parish

Priest, has moved

onto pastures new.

He will be sorely

missed.

ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL

ANTHONY LAWLOR TD • Tel: 045 888488 • Email: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ie • www.anthonylawlor.ie

Changes to the Fuel Allowance and Household Benefits Scheme From September 2011 a number of changes have been introduced to the Fuel Allowance and Household Benefits Scheme:• Fuel Allowance is to be standardised at €20 per

week, the rate currently received by the majority of customers.

• From September 2011, the top –up Smokeless Fuel Allowance of €3.90 per week will no longer be paid. This will affect residents in the Leixlip area which is a designated smokeless fuel area.

• The number of free units provided under the Electricity and Gas Allowance will be reduced from 2,400 to 1,800.

• The rate of the cash payment for Electricity and Gas Allowance will be adjusted from €43.80 a month to €35.80 a month from Tuesday 6th September 2011.

• The annual value of the Gas Allowance will be adjusted from €489 to €393 effective from 1 September 2011.• The rate of the cash payment will be adjusted from €40.70 a month to €32.70 a month from Tuesday 6th September 2011.• The monthly rate of the Telephone Allowance will be adjusted from €25.91 to €22.22 effective from 1 September 2011. This change

is automatically applied to your bill.• The Department has negotiated a deal with Eircom which will provide customers in receipt of the ‘Social Benefits Package’ with line

rental (€25.36) and a monthly call allowance of €1.50 (reducing from €2.47). • Help will continue to be available for people with special or additional heating needs through the Heating Supplement and

Exceptional Needs Payment Scheme under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.

Well done to all involved in the Tidy Towns

Committee. It is great to see that Leixlip

increased the number of points awarded

to it by the judging panel in the 2011

National Competition. In 2012 Leixlip will

celebrate its 50th anniversary of entry into

the competition and it would be great to

see the points increase further.

ANTHONY LAWLOR TD • Tel: 045 888488 • Email: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ie • www.anthonylawlor.ie

To keep up to date with my activities in the Dáil, including speeches and responses to Dáil Questions,

join me on Facebook or on my website page.

Dáil Business I was delighted to be appointed to the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education. The work of this committee will be instrumental in getting Ireland back on its feet and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.

I have spoken in the Dáil on a number of issues such as suicide prevention, white collar crime, electoral reform, bankruptcy laws and the protection of Good Samaritans in our society.

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 and the need to ring fence funding to deal with the landfill site at Kerdiffstown.

I have tabled a number of Dáil Questions to various Ministers on topics such as extra resources in Co. Kildare as a result of the increased population according to Census 2011; the level of funding distributed by Irish Aid and the need to extend the online service for motor tax to commercial vehicles.

ReferendaAlong with the Presidential Election on 27th October, the Irish people are also being asked to vote in two referenda.

Referendum 1: The Twenty Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judges Remuneration) Bill 2011 – This amendment to the Constitution will reduce the remuneration of Judges in line with other public servants.Background: In 2009 the then Finance Minister, Brian Lenihan, announced that judges would be exempted from pay reductions imposed on other public servants because the Constitution precluded such cuts. These reductions took

the form of a pension levy and a reduction in basic salary. Although a voluntary scheme was established allowing judges to make a contribution to the Revenue Commissioners, not all judges availed of the scheme (21 out of 147 judges failed to make any contribution).

Purpose of the Referendum: The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to hold a referendum to amend the Constitution so that judges’ pay can be adjusted as part of any general public service reduction.

Referendum 2: The Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiry) Bill 2011 – This amendment to the Constitution will reverse the effects of the Abbeylara decision and will enable Oireachtas Committees to undertake full investigations. Background: In the aftermath of the shooting dead by members of the Gardaí of John Carthy in Abbeylara in April 2000, an Oireachtas Sub Committee was formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. A number of Gardaí who were compelled to appear before the committee

challenged their constitutional right to the Supreme Court. They did so on the basis that the Oireachtas did not have the power to establish such a committee and that the Committee’s findings may have adverse effects on their constitutionally-protected right to one’s good name. The Supreme Court subsequently found that the Oireachtas did not have the inherent general power to set up an investigative committee. Rather, under the Constitution, it had limited powers to inquire into certain matters with a view to drafting protective legislation.

Purpose of the Referendum: The reversal of this decision by the Supreme Court will ensure that the Oireachtas has an effective system of inquiry which can secure effective and cost-efficient parliamentary scrutiny of issues of significant public importance. This is essential in facilitating more open, transparent and better Government as promised in the Programme for Government. By passing this referendum the Oireachtas would be in a position to conduct an inquiry into the recent banking scandal.

Competition Time! For the opportunity to win a tour of Dáil Éireann followed by a meal in the Dáil Restaurant for two people, email the answer to the following question:

Q .Who is the current Junior Minister for European Affairs?

All correct answers to anthony.lawlor@oir.ie Deadline for receipt of entries 31st October 2011.

Dáil ReformI warmly welcome the package of reform for Dáil Business, which have been effective since September 2011. Among the measures, the Dáil will now sit earlier on Tuesdays and will sit on the first Friday of every month; Topical Issue Debates will be introduced giving backbench TDs more speaking time; Leaders Questions will now be taken by the Tánaiste on Thursdays and TDs can raise issues regarding replies to Parliamentary Questions.

Leixlip useful contact details:Kildare County Council (045 980200) www.kildarecoco.ieLeixlip Town Council (01 6245777) Newtown House, 41 Captain’s HillLeixlip Health Centre (01 6244931) Main Street, LeixlipCommunity Welfare Office (01 6245266) Leixlip Health Centre, Main StreetSocial Welfare Branch Office (01 6106000) Town Hall, Maynooth Naas General Hospital (045 897 221) www.hse.ieConnolly Hospital (01-646 5000) Blanchardstown,North East Doctor on Call (1850-444600) KDOC Newbridge (01 890 599 362)Leixlip Community Library (01 6060050) Captain’s Hill, LeixlipLeixlip Garda Station (01 6667800) Station Road, LeixlipLeixlip Fire Station (01 6244455) Mill Lane, LeixlipFor all local information on Leixlip www.leixlip.ie

ANTHONY LAWLOR TDEmail: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ieConstituency Office: 56 South Main Street, Naas, Co. KildareContact Number: 045 888488Opening Hours: 9am -12am & 3pm – 5pmCelbridge Clinic: Every Thursday 7pm – 8pm Venue - Kildrought Inn, Main Street, CelbridgeWebsite: www.anthonylawlor.ie

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Your Local Leixlip Fine Gael Team:

Kildare County Council Representative Cllr. Senan GriffinEmail: griffins@eircom.netAddress: Ballygoran, Maynooth, Co. KildareContact Numbers: 01-6285177/ 087- 2331267

Leixlip Town Council Representative Cathaoirleach Joe NevilleEmail: joeneville.no1@gmail.comAddress: 93 Ryevale Lawns, Leixlip, Co. KildareContact Number: 086 6062207

Cllr. Teresa ByrneEmail: tbyrne35@gmail.comAddress: 1035 Avondale, Leixlip, Co. KildareContact Numbers: Home – 01 6243124, Mobile – 087 6951546

Cllr. Pat Burke-WalshEmail: pbw397@gmail.comAddress: 397 Ryevale Lawns, Leixlip, Co. KildareContact Numbers: 087 1335633