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LAWLESS RAISES NAAS HOSPITAL OVERCROWDING IN THE DAIL

James Lawless raised the chronic overcrowding of Naas Hospital with the Minister for Health in the Dáil yesterday

Naas General Hospital is the most overcrowded hospital in the Eastern region, which is shocking when you consider Dublin hospitals are also in this region.

James said, “A new endoscopy unit is badly needed as procedures are currently carried out in a prefab that is cold and lacks privacy and the Lakeview psychiatric unit also needs significant investment. An upgrade of the hospital has been in the pipeline for some time now and I have asked the Minister to ensure delivery.”

You can watch the video <a href=”https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2138985612868192″>here</a>

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LAWLESS SPEAKS ON CLIMATE EMERGENCY MEASURES

James Lawless TD spoke recently in the Dail on proposed Climate Emergency measures.

“The longer we keep looking for other sources, the more we delay a transition to an entirely renewable energy mix. Apart from the environmental and moral imperative there is huge economic opportunity in a ‘green revolution’ to create high tech jobs in engineering, renewable technologies and a whole new energy industry.”

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O’Rourke and Lawless get commitment on St Catherine’s Park

Frank O’Rourke TD and James Lawless TD have secured a commitment from Minister Damien English that no road will be built through St. Catherine’s Park, Leixlip.

The commitment comes following a debate  specifically on St. Catherine’s Park in Leinster House this week.

James said, “I am delighted that the Minister has given his commitment that no road will be built in St. Catherine’s Park. I met with the group fighting to Save St. Catherine’s Park and commend their efforts. Following a recent vote at Kildare County Council, which I sat in the gallery alongside the group to watch the vote and lend my support, we have seen the council take steps to secure the park. I look forward to continuing to work with the Save St. Catherine’s Park committee in keeping pressure on the Department and Minister so that no interference comes from central Government on this matter.”

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LAWLESS RAISES BUS DELAYS IN THE DAIL

James Lawless TD raised the delays and inconsistencies which have plagued Bus Éireann passengers in Kildare in recent weeks in the Dáil today

“In north Kildare, in particular, places such as Kilcock, Clane and Prosperous, buses are literally not turning up in the morning to collect people. When they do turn up they are delayed, but people are being left stranded at the bus stop.”

“I have engaged with the stakeholders, the National Transport Authority, Bus Éireann and other authoritative sources. There appears to be an unofficial industrial dispute, a form of blue flu, amongst the drivers. I put it to the Minister for Transport who has fobbed it off to the NTA.”

“Commuters trying to travel to work, hospital appointments, college or school are being left stranded in towns were Bus Éireann general is the only mode of public transport. The Taoiseach must direct the Minister to take action and show leadership in this crisis.”

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LAWLESS RAISES RETURNING EMIGRANTS’ INSURANCE WOES

In a recent Dáil debate on soaring motor insurance costs James Lawless TD called on the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan T.D. to examine the issue whereby emigrants returning home from other European Union countries are unable to secure motor insurance back home in Ireland

James Lawless TD, “I have encountered a number of situations in my clinics which are crucial to this debate. One is the situation of emigrants returning from abroad. Thanks to the putative economic recovery we are beginning to see some people returning home. Many people spent the recession abroad, including in the EU. One individual approached me recently who, on his return from spending six years in Spain, found that he was unable to get insurance cover in Ireland. He has a clean driving history and a full no-claims bonus, but it is non-transferable even within EU states.”

“Surely within the EU we could align our no-claims bonus provisions and driving history to the extent that we should be able to address such cases. I ask the Minister to examine that issue. Hopefully, it will be presenting more frequently as many more people return home after working abroad.”

“It now falls to the Minister to move on this issue and I will continue to raise it to enable returning emigrants live up to the EU promise of freedom to work, travel and live within the union without coming up against as basic a blockage as this on an individual’s budget.”