P2. Public Transport

Five reasons to walk

Rubber recycling

P3. Eyre Square Trees

The bye-laws

Busking

P4. Why vote

More local issues.

Zero Waste is a solution being adopted all around the world.  It means waste production is ramped down to a tiny fraction of what it is today over a period of typically 15 – 20 years.

Zero waste involves:

Producer responsibility

Consumer responsibility

Better Eco-design

Local job creation

Recovering wealth from waste

The concept phases out unfriendly packaging. It prioritises re-use ahead of recycling.  Many people recall returning empty glass bottles as a child, it was a nice pocket money earner. 

Recycling should initially target the material which is easy to recycle such as construction and demolition waste. 

The producer would pay for the privilege of producing anything which cannot be reused or recycled.  The consumer also has a responsibility.

Kieran says that implementing Zero Waste NOW, is much easier than it will be for the next generation, should we pass the problem on. We may as well be pro-active.

We need local politicians who will influence at a National and EU level on the waste issue.

Privatisation and Public Private Partnership funding for Waste projects are a huge concern because private profits override people's health and safety. Private investors require a return on their investment, meaning higher waste charges.

 Incineration is a business, not an environmental solution.   It has many known health impacts. It doesn't resolve the landfill issue because about a tonne of ash is produced for every three tonnes burned.  This ash needs to be landfilled. The most toxic part of the ash, called “fly ash” requires a second special landfill which needs to be managed for the rest of time. 

Incineration would defeat or seriously damage recycling and waste management initiatives for the foreseeable future.

The Government needs to apply the  “polluter pays principle” and “pay by weight” to producers as well as householders. We can't be continually soft on them, while making the poor old householder always pay.

Many people enjoy this haven so near to the City. It would be a great shame to split this lovely village in two.  Kieran himself regularly cycles to the lake.

 We are told opposition mustn't just be only on the back yard argument.  However, there are many legitimate ecological, heritage and conservation concerns with this road. Going from Knocknacarra to Ballybritt using the bypass would be a 22KM journey, where it is presently 9KM. More criticisms are the enormous cost and likelihood of traffic being backed up trying to exit it. In other words no time will be saved.  Thankfully, he says, the alternatives are much cheaper, more eco-friendly, and far better at solving Galway’s traffic problems.

The introduction of Quality Bus Corridors (QBC's) is very central.  It is crucial that the routes service all the Industrial Estates, Hospitals and  Colleges, as well as the City Centre. Buses would run every 10 minutes during peak times.  A Circular bus route across the bridge is another obvious requirement.

Every bus replaces about 400M of traffic tailback. Around the world, Cities which are free flowing are built around public transport.  The term “induced traffic” (meaning if you build a road, it will fill up with traffic) was coined during Thatcher-era Britain.  It’s a good example of what not to do.  

On their own Quality Bus Corridors are not the solution.  Roundabouts and major bottlenecks could be targeted for overpass and underpass projects. These are expensive, but a fraction of the cost of the bypass.  With the Greens in local Government, new housing developments will be built around public transport. 

The final piece in the jigsaw is:

This is simply the most important project ever proposed for the West of Ireland.  With 2 Billion of infrastructure lying idle in the ground and just 210 Million to upgrade for use, it is a veritable gold mine.  Kieran has no doubt that this project will happen, but the question is how soon? 

The Galway Greens first came up with this proposal and now all politicians in the West of Ireland are getting behind it.  The idea is really gaining momentum.  The National Spatial Strategy could be realised with this Railway in place; the towns en route would be revitalized; Dublin would be relieved.  Without it, the Spatial Strategy simply won’t happen.  It's a vision thing. Regular commuter Trains from Tuam, Gort and Athenry will greatly reduce traffic, especially along the N17 (Ireland’s busiest road) and in Galway City. 

 There are many other benefits.  Students could travel from Ballina and Sligo to Cork and Limerick.  Tourism would flourish.  Young families would have access to affordable housing outside the Cities.  It would also link Airports at Sligo, Knock, Galway,  Shannon and Cork. 

One thing we mustn't overlook in our transport solutions is access to the disabled and pedestrians and cyclists.  Local lobby groups have done a lot of great work identifying the best approach to road safety. Their  ideas should be taken on board and incorporated into future City Planning.

Rubber can be recycled into Astro turf and Running tracks. Michellin and Bridgestone use a percentage of recycled rubber, which is the same quality as new rubber. A regional recycled product is the “Cow Comforter Mat”, produced in Belmullet Co. Mayo. A rubber Road Reflector which bounces back when hit is made in Australia.  Rubber recycled for roads in Canada is so successful it is a threat to Asphalt Industry.		Walking 500m in both the morning and evening can reduce the risk of Heart disease and cancer in half. Walking reduces the risk of diabetes. Walking is good for our mental well being. Walking reduces stress.  Walking improves flexibility and strengthens our bones.

For further information, Kieran's entire campaign is available on the web, including press releases .  He sees lack of vision as the number one issue in Galway City Council. Conservatism and an unwillingness to admit when mistakes have been made, as in the Eyre Square Plan are also a problem. He believes knowledge of global and National issues is very important, saying that a clear global vision is a pre-requisite for local vision.  Kieran would like to hear your issues.  He can be contacted at 091 770067.

Musical Party: ♫ ♫ ♫

The greens highlight busker's rights on Shop St.

Defend Free Speech, Assembly and Activity (DFSAA) was formed during the summer as an umbrella organisation, whose ethos is to defend existing freedoms rather than gain any new rights.  The group recently had a victory in relation to the Draft Litter Pollution Bye-Law which proposed to ban all leafleting. This had included voluntary and community groups but has thanks to DFSAA's efforts  has been modified to now ban commercial leafleting only.

The draft parks bye-law which has yet to be resolved covers several topics. Some sections are quite reasonable and others raise concerns. The most serious of these is the requirement for prior written permission to hold a protest or a religious event.  In addition, permission would only be granted in designated areas.  There are also activities, sports and busking where the level of control in the draft parks bye-law is unreasonable. 

Kieran’s acts as PRO for the group, highlighting events in the National and Local Media such as protests on Shop St., and at City Hall where over 500 people attended.  Another such event was a street busk by popular Galway Band “The Stunning” to highlight the impact on busking. Kieran plays in a local original rock band and along with several other local musicians, he joined in with the Stunning's street busk.

The Parks  Policy Committee meets on 6th Feb.  DFSAA will be continuing in it's campaign until all the issues raised by the people have been resolved.

The alternative Eyre Square Plan designed by Mary Reynolds, a former gold medal winner at the Chelsea flower show.  Mary’s plan views the Square as a Garden, retaining all the existing trees, and adding some extra trees.  The Padriac O’ Conaire statue, and the Galway Hooker would be retained. 

It is believed that the trees will be cut down in January, after the meeting in Galway of EU Enterprise Ministers, and the square will be replaced by a plaza style design.  GEA has made a representation to the EU, as funding should only be provided if an alternative was considered. The Council has refused to consider Mary Reynolds plan. It also denies any representation from GEA to the EU.  It would seem politically unwise for our politicians to proceed, but it seems that is what they intend doing.

Cast our minds back to June 21^st, the summer solstice. Galway Environmental Alliance (GEA) held a referendum to decide if the Eyre Square Plan be incorporated to include the existing trees.  98.35% of those who voted did so to keep the trees.  The Secretary of the GEA said, "We've given an opportunity to the electorate of the city and 2,275 of them voted Yes. Their voice has now been heard and no city councillor should ignore this vote." 

Kieran's says "the Square is the first thing visitors see on arrival; the public face of Galway for the Century ahead. It should present a very positive picture which reflects our Celtic and Maritime Culture.  Eyre Square is for everybody.  Sufficient time should be set aside to make sure we get it right. The public, experts in local history, heritage, the arts and botany should all be consulted.

To justify a Crèche, Galway City Council intends building five houses on a children's playing space in Ballybane. This goes against the Council's own City Development plan. The plan states that "the importance of children's play area cannot be over emphasised". It also makes a commitment to play areas at each age of a child's development. Kieran has called for a special task force to deal with all the other local issues including illegal burning, stating that Ballybane has never received enough priority from local politicians .

Causing great concern, especially among the elderly is the need to collect postal packages at a the depot 2 miles out the Tuam Road.  The depot cannot be reached using public transport and people don't know if a package is useful until they open it up. It can be a fruitless journey, costing over €20 by taxi. The simple solution is that packages should be returned to your local post office.

Recent public meetings and protests have highlighted how Hospice staff go over and above the call of duty, (often outside of working hours) to meet both patient's and family's needs. It is unthinkable that we could lose this Service.  Politicians of all parties are uniting on this issue and say we cannot allow this to happen. Signs are a little are more encouraging following the Western Health Board budge but we must all continue to keep the pressure on.