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LAWLESS PRESSES FOR ACTION ON BROADBAND

Despite the recent publication of the Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, communities in Kildare will still have to wait until 2023 at the earliest to access high quality broadband services

James Lawless TD commented, “This is simply not good enough from the Government. The report suggests a number of initiatives which I believe are window dressing. There is no need to undergo another mapping exercise to see where there are mobile broadband blackspots. The mobile phone operators know exactly where coverage is poor. In my own constituency I have worked on improving high speed broadband services in North West Kildare, Kill and Eadestown. Meeting with Eir, Imagine and other providers I have informed them of these blackspots and will continue to bring these to their attention.” Continue reading “LAWLESS PRESSES FOR ACTION ON BROADBAND”

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LAWLESS WELCOMES FUNDING FOR SALLINS BYPASS

James Lawless TD has welcomed the news that funding has been approved for the Sallins bypass and Osberstown Interchange

“This funding is very welcome news for Sallins village, Clane, Prosperous, and the wider areas which have had bottle neck traffic building up at morning and evening times. The bypass is exactly what these areas need and I am delighted to see the council receive funding for this project. Only as recently as this week have I contact Minister Ross to lobby for funding. It has been one of my main projects since being elected and am delighted to see this pressure pay off and funding secured for this part of the overall project.I have been campaigning for this development, and the wider M7 Widening project, for nearly ten years now. Since being elected to the Dáil I have repeatedly raised funding matters regarding both projects in the chamber.”

From figures previously obtained it is my understanding €110 million is needed to complete the entire project of the M7 Widening and the Sallins Bypass. As they both went out in the same tender I intend to keep further pressure on the Minister to fight for the remainder of the €100 million needed to see this project completed.

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LAWLESS WELCOMES ADDITIONAL GARDAI FOR KILDARE

James Lawless TD has extended a cautious welcome to the announcement that extra Gardaí are to be deployed to Kildare

This was just an issue that James raised in the Dáil last week during an emergency debate on Garda coverage in Kildare North.

“At the time I highlighted with the Minister that we are lowest in terms of Garda numbers per head of population and call for an immediate increase in numbers.”

“While the additional recruits are very welcome a step change is needed to adequately resource our county. Reactionary management of man power in Kildare North is not good enough. We need consistent growth in our emergency service numbers. I will continue to press the Government to lobby for better Garda numbers in the county.”

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LAWLESS WELCOMES OPENING OF PHOENIX PARK TUNNEL

James Lawless TD has welcomed news the opening of the Phoenix Park tunnel for their service from Kildare North into Pearse Street Station, Connolly and Grand Canal Dock took place this morning

The new service will bring us commuters right into all the transport links in the Greater Dublin Area.

James commented, “Since being elected to the Dáil, lobbying for the opening of the tunnel was my number one objective. It is a matter I have been working on for over ten years since I first entered public life. It is a credit to Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority (NTA) for working together on this project.” Continue reading “LAWLESS WELCOMES OPENING OF PHOENIX PARK TUNNEL”

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LAWLESS RAISES OPERATION OF COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SCHEMES IN THE DAIL

James Lawless queried the operation of Tús and Community Employment schemes in the Dáil today

James said, “Too often a worker is willing and able to remain placed with the same institution (usually a charitable or community organisation like Tidy Towns or McAuley Place) but is forced by “job-path” to spend a year in limbo and seeking alternate work.”

“This sees both the organisation and the individual losing out on an arrangement that gives the individual a job they enjoy and the organisation an extra staff member. “

“This all stems from changes made to the scheme last August when it was outsourced to private providers. Following my question Minister Varadkar has agreed to review the operation of the scheme.”