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LAWLESS PLEASED AT WINDFARM REFUSAL

James Lawless TD has expressed his satisfaction that Kildare County Council has refused planning permission for a proposed wind farm in North West Kildare.
Permission had been sought for a 12-turbine wind farm and amenity trail in the Dunfierth area.
James commented, “The Council were of the opinion that the local road network does not have the capacity to accommodate the heavy construction traffic and that the volume of traffic and type of vehicles would therefore endanger public safety.”

“I welcome this decision. While we need to transition to renewable energy, it must be done in consultation with local communities and in tandem with the necessary improvements of infrastructure. This application has already been refused multiple times and it was unfair to revisit it on the people of north west Kildare.”

 

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LAWLESS URGES EXPANSION OF NAAS HOSPITAL TO BE PRIORITISED

His comments come as Kildare County Council announce that it has decided to allow the HSE to extend the planning permission for a significant extension of Naas General Hospital. 

The extension would include a new endoscopy/day services unit as well as Physical medicine and oncology departments. 

James commented, “The extension of planning is welcome. However it also serves to highlight the HSE have stalled on this project since the original planning was granted in 2014. The endoscopy unit in particular is badly needed, I have visited the hospital to inspect existing facilities and I have raised this on the floor of the Dail with Minister Simon Harris. Whilst the planning is key and I welcome this decision, it is imperative that the HSE now press ahead with funding and concrete plans to develop this needed extension.”

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KEENAN CALLS FOR GREATER GARDA PRESENCE IN CLANE

Fianna Fáil election candidate Daniel Keenan has again raised the issue of a greater Garda presence in the Greater Clane area following the recent stabbing of a teenager in the town.

           Daniel Keenan, Clane Candidate

Daniel had previously outlined the absence of a full-time Garda Station in the town.

Daniel commented, “This type of crime is thankfully a rare occurrence in Clane. However, it still highlights the need for what I have  previously called for, an increase in Garda resources for all of the greater Clane area.  Most importantly, we need a Garda Station with a 24 hour response service.”

“I’m glad to hear the injuries are not thought to be life-threatening but this could have been so much worse. We need action sooner rather than later“

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Cllr Naoise O’Cearuil supports objections to Wind Turbines in Drehid

Tonight Cllr Naoise O’Cearuil attended a Public Meeting in the Castle Inn Carbury regarding Element Power’s new proposal for wind turbines in the Drehid area.

Afterwards, Cllr Naoise said :”The people of West Kildare defeated the Maighne proposal and have my full backing with their objection to the most recent one. I’ve always supported renewable energy but not to the detriment of people’s livelihoods and health. Even though this area won’t be in my electoral area at the next election, I committed from the outset of my election to represent all the people of this area to the best of my ability and I will continue to do so.”

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LAWLESS VOICES CONCERN OVER DREHID EXPANSION

James Lawless TD is concerned that a recent agreement with the Dept. of Environment has seen the volumes at the Drehid Facility waste site escalate again

James commented, “The load being received into the facility has practically doubled and this is having a particularly troubling effect on local roads which are being passed through by trucks bound for the dump, some making 4 round journeys a day on the same narrow roads.”

“I am concerned that there has not been great public awareness of this and whilst An Bord Pleanála are now considering their application for futher expansion, a lot of this has gone under the radar, bar for the residents who have noticed the increased traffic volumes. In particular local roads around Kill, Sallins, Clane and Prosperous are seeing this pattern and some of those roads are just not suitable.”

“I have written to Bord na Móna, the EPA and Kildare County Council to express my concerns on this. I am also very concerned at the prospect of a hazardous waste licence application which is expected to be made at the site in the near future also, which is in addition to the current application for increased volume.”