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LAWLESS WELCOMES NEW RENT PRESSURE ZONES IN KILDARE

James Lawless TD has welcomed the extension of Rent Pressure Zones to large towns in North-East Kildare

“When this scheme was first proposed in December Fianna Fáil were supportive in theory however we did feel it was essential the Greater Dublin area and other urban zones should be covered. In particular I advocated strongly for Kildare North given the massive housing and rental crisis the constituency faces” said Deputy Lawless.

“I am pleased that the pressure has led to these towns now being included as Naas, Sallins, Celbridge and Leixlip are all now certainly experiencing serious rental pressures – all major commuter towns also. However I am disappointed at the omission of Maynooth, Clane and Kill and will continue to make the case for these. Clane in particular has experienced major rent increases in recent years and Maynooth has the added complication of the student demand each autumn.”

“This is a necessary and welcome extension of the rent pressure scheme but ultimately supply side measures are the only way to solve the housing and rental crisis. We need new homes, both social and private, we need lots of them and we need them as soon as possible”

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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 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 WELCOMES SHORT HOP EXTENSION

James Lawless TD is pleased to confirm that Sallins, Naas and Kilcock train stations will be moved into the ‘short hop zone’ and fares will be reduced by up to 50% following a series of meetings I held with the National Transport Authority (NTA) on the matter

James said, “After a prolonged engagement with the NTA, including meetings in Leinster House, and sustained lobbying with both them and Irish Rail, on the disparity of train fares for commuters in Kilcock, Naas, and Sallins they now have revised the zoning model and are making significant changes for the betterment of commuters in these areas.” Continue reading “LAWLESS WELCOMES SHORT HOP EXTENSION”

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LAWLESS FURIOUS AT COVENEY SALLINS AMENITY REJECTION

The Minister for Planning and Housing, Simon Coveney TD, has rejected the Sallins amenity option in the Naas Municipal District Local Area plan

The Sallins Local Area Plan had contained a provision to zone 40 acres of land at Bodenstown as Amenity along with 30 for housing, the package also included a site for a second school and common use playing fields and community centre.

James Lawless TD said, “In doing so, the Minister has rejected the considered opinion of all 9 Councillors in the Naas electoral area, along with over 2,000 supporting submissions from the Sallins community” Continue reading “LAWLESS FURIOUS AT COVENEY SALLINS AMENITY REJECTION”