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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.”

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LAWLESS SEEKS FUNDING FOR NEW CELBRIDGE BRIDGE

James Lawless TD has made representations seeking funding for a much-needed second bridge in Leixlip

James Lawless said, “I have sought additional sources of funding for a second bridge in Celbridge by engaging with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Simon Coveney to secure finances from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF). The fund is currently closed but the Minister will consider reopening the fund following lobbying. You can read the full parlimentary question here.”

“The Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund main purpose is to alleviate infrastructural blockages with view to delivering houses to an area. Currently at peak times Celbridge Main Street comes to a standstill as commuters try navigate over the one bridge in the town, often taking a half hour or more to get to the Dublin Road from the Clane Road.”

“This is particularly important in the case of the context of the Celbridge Local Area Plan, currently under discussion, and on which I have attended a number of public meetings with concerned residents. It is apparent that the quantum of new housing being proposed for Celbridge would require a serious infrastructure upgrade, as already the town struggles.”

“I have called on the Minister to use the local infrastructure housing activation fund in conjunction with Kildare County Council to progress the second bridge in Celbridge. I understand the council did submit for funding in the Celbridge area however this was not approved by the Department at the last round of applications.”

“Following my representations the Minister will consider reopening the fund to allow for additional applications. I will continue working with the Department and the council to support any application for a second bridge when the fund reopens.”

“I have also included funding for the second Celbridge river crossing in a recent submission I made to Minister Pascal Donohue on the Capital Expenditure Program 2017-2022.”

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LAWLESS SUPPORTS ST CATHERINE’S PARK MARCH

James Lawless TD attended today’s Protest March against the planned inclusion of a road through St Catherine’s Park in Leixlip

James said, “There was a big turn out for the march to save St. Catherine’s Park bordering Leixlip and Confey. The park sits between three local authority areas, namely Kildare, Fingal and South Dublin. This makes planning complicated and especially when one of those councils have put a line on a map indicating a potential road link through the park in future. People turned out today to show their support for the park and ensure that a road will not be welcomed cutting through the middle of it.”

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LAWLESS WELCOMES LEAPCARD READERS AT KILCOCK STATION

James Lawless TD has welcomed the news that Leap card readers are to be installed in Kilcock train station

The expected installation date is the end of April.

“I am delighted to confirm that these tag on/off poles will be installed in Kilcock train station. Following on from reducing the fares in half I lobbied the National Transport Authority to have these card readers installed in Kilcock. After a meeting with Irish Rail last week I can confirm these readers will be in place for rail users by the end of the month.”

“This is excellent news for those who use the station in Kilcock. I know it will bring them a quicker and cheaper commute. I look forward to continuing working with the NTA to deliver better commuter services for Kilcock.”

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LAWLESS SECURES PROMISE ON JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE SCHOOL TRANSPORT

James Lawless has secured a promise from Minister John Halligan that he will investigate the situation of school transport from Johnstownbridge, Kilshanroe, and the wider area to Edenderry’s St Mary’s and Oakland schools

James said, “Following the fiasco which has left many without school transport last September I have this week met the Minister to lobby on behalf of parents who had been left driving or making other arrangements to get their children to school in Edenderry. If at all possible, this must be avoided for the upcoming academic year.” Continue reading “LAWLESS SECURES PROMISE ON JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE SCHOOL TRANSPORT”