LAWLESS RAISES LEIXLIP WATER TREATMENT PROBLEMS WITH MINISTER

James Lawless TD has contacted Minister Eoghan Murphy about the ongoing issues at Leixlip Water Treatment Plant and the current boil water notice

I asked the Minister to confirm what measures are being taken to reassure the public that water is being properly treated and is fit for consumption.

                              James Lawless TD

James said, “The Minister outlined that he is extremely concerned that this plant has been the subject of two boil water notices in quick succession. He stated that Irish Water and Fingal County Council have implemented automatic plant shutdown on high turbidity if there is a failure to respond to an alarm within 15 minutes. In the case of the current Boil Water Notice, the issues now arising are linked to the need to upgrade the older part of this treatment plant to improve the performance of the plant. In particular, the EPA has identified in its audits that the filters at the plant need to be upgraded. The Minister stated that it is a matter for the EPA and the HSE as regulators – and for Irish Water working with the local authority, to ensure that national standards are complied with.”

 

LAWLESS ADDRESSES INTERNATIONAL GRAND COMMITTEE ON FAKE NEWS

The International Grand Committee on Disinformation and Fake News is meeting in Dublin this week. James Lawless TD is one of the representatives of the Oireachtas and they are hearing from the social media industry, journalists and industry experts.

Earlier James questioned Facebook’s Head of Global Policy Management about political advertising on its site as well as the motivations behind its proposed Libra currency.

You can see the video here

LAWLESS SUPPORTS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY GROUPS

James Lawless TD has lent his support to the Kill and Sallins Road Safety groups who turned out to support each other at the march for a crossing in Kill today.

James commented, “It defies belief that the council erected a temporary crossing in Kill village (and then took it away) at a cost of €20,000 rather than putting a permanent crossing in place for not much more. I am seeking a meeting with Kildare County Council to escalate this issue and get action.”

LAWLESS CRITICISES NTA ROLLBACK ON 120 BUS ROUTE

James Lawless TD has claimed that the decision by the NTA to remove double decker buses from the 120 and other commuter coach services in Kildare has caused huge problems with a service that already was under pressure.

Double decker buses have been transferred to Go Ahead as they prepare to take over the operation of the routes.

James commented, “Services at peak times simply do not have enough capacity and the decision by the NTA to transfer double deck buses to Go Ahead and not make arrangements to alleviate the inevitable problems is frustrating and just not good enough.”

“I wrote to the NTA and asked that increased capacity is provided and the NTA has informed me that Bus Eireann has put in place an operational plan to mitigate the problems.”

“Passengers cannot be expected to continue to pay for a lower quality service when we are not even sure of when the route will be transferred to Go Ahead and capacity levels will return to normal. It is expected by the end of this year, but we do not have a date or timetable and alternative arrangements to deal with short term capacity problems should be made by the NTA and Bus Eireann.”

LAWLESS CRITICISES DELAY IN SALLINS UNDERGROUND CAR PARK

James Lawless TD has criticised the further delay in the provision of an Underground car park in Sallins Train Station

James said, “I recently wrote to the Group Secretary of CIÉ about the ongoing delay in opening the planned underground carpark at Sallins Train Station. The response, which is below, has confirmed that it is now not expected to open until spring in 2020. Geraldine Finucane, Group Secretary of CIÉ, outlined that Irish Rail are very close to agreeing terms with the agents on a lease for the underground carpark which would include the necessary remediation works. The site has suffered flooding in the past and requires substantial repairs to bring it up to the required standard.” Continue reading “LAWLESS CRITICISES DELAY IN SALLINS UNDERGROUND CAR PARK”