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LAWLESS SUPPORTS AGSI PROTEST AT DAIL EIREANN

James Lawless stood in solidarity with protesting AGSI Members recently outside Leinster House recently

James said, “I was delighted to lend my support to members of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (A.G.S.I) outside Government Buildings recently. In particular it was great to meet up with General Secretary and Eadestown resident John Jacob to listen to concerns of members.”

“Steps need to be taken to ensure members of our Garda are provided with better paying conditions to ensure they are adequately compensated for the demanding and brave work they do on a daily basis. I look forward to working with General Secretary Jacob and other members of the association to progress this matter”

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LAWLESS SPEAKS ON IRISH WATER IN THE DAIL

James Lawless TD spoke in the Dail today during the debate on Irish Water.

His full contribution is below:

“I thank the Acting Chairman for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate, although with only two Members on the Government benches, I am not sure it qualifies as a debate. I am glad, however, that this issue is now being brought to a head. It is an important issue but by no means the most important. The amount of airtime it has received in recent weeks has been disproportionate. Other matters such as health, education, transport, energy, broadband and housing are huge issues that have suffered owing to the inordinate focus placed on water provision in the set-up of this Dáil. Nonetheless, it is an important issue, one that has united and divided both this House and the wider public.” Continue reading “LAWLESS SPEAKS ON IRISH WATER IN THE DAIL”

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LAWLESS SPEAKS ON INSURANCE COSTS IN THE DAIL

James Lawless TD contributed to the Dail debate on Insurance today

His contribution is below :

“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the insurance costs. I want to concentrate on the areas of public liability insurance, health insurance and general insurance. On public liability insurance, much has been made of the recent decision to award €40,000 to a hill walker, which was referred to by my colleagues in their contributions. That has generated a general concern about access to the countryside and walking routes and the fear this may be curtailed with attendant loss to the community and the tourism sector. That would be lamentable but I believe it need not happen.” Continue reading “LAWLESS SPEAKS ON INSURANCE COSTS IN THE DAIL”

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O’ROURKE CLAIMS KILCOCK RAIL FARE STRUCTURE IS UNFAIR

Frank O’Rourke TD has raised the unfair fee structure that exists for Kilcock Irish Rail users with the NTA and Irish Rail

Frank commented, ‘Following a meeting last Thursday with Kilcock residents, I have raised the issue again of the unfair fee structure that Kilcock rail commuters experience when compared to other users along the Maynooth line.’

‘Kilcock has become a commuter town and many Kilcock residents are working in Dublin. I believe that Kilcock should be included in Irish Rail’s short hop zone which attracts lower rail fares. In my view there is no sound basis for continuing to have Kilcock linked to the intercity network with its higher fare structure, and excluding it from the short hop zone (SHZ).’ Continue reading “O’ROURKE CLAIMS KILCOCK RAIL FARE STRUCTURE IS UNFAIR”

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LAWLESS MAKES MAIDEN SPEECH IN THE DAIL

James Lawless made his Maiden Speech in the Dail this evening

The full text of his speech is below :

“In my first contribution in the House and as a fellow Kildare man, I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on his role. I commend him on the diligence and professionalism he has displayed in office and I wish him well in his role.”

“A number of factors contribute to the housing crisis: purchase and rental affordability; availability; the backlog in social housing; and the lack of private home construction and supply across the board, which are functions of affordability. As a councillor until three weeks ago when I entered the Dáil, the single greatest issue being raised at my clinics on a daily basis was housing. People attended my clinics in a variety of situations but all had the common challenge of lacking a home or roof over their heads. Unfortunately, the only response that I could reasonably provide was that there was no supply, light at the end of the tunnel or stock to be allocated. Housing lists have extended from five years to six, seven or many more years. In some cases, we were fortunate enough to be able to assist a family in getting what was essentially a lucky break but a lucky break is not good enough for what is a basic requirement, namely, providing a family with a home. The majority of families in that situation do not get that lucky break. Indeed, they are sent back from clinics and the housing departments of local authorities to conditions in which they face homelessness or are on the verge of homelessness, staying with their families in overcrowded accommodation and sleeping on mattresses on kitchen floors in a form of hidden homelessness that is not reported in the statistics or on any planning radar. This is not good enough.” Continue reading “LAWLESS MAKES MAIDEN SPEECH IN THE DAIL”