Pádraig de Burca

and the Labour Party

Supporting People ... Solving problems

Pádraig de Burca is passionately committed to the well-being of our community.

Active with Donnycarney and subsequently Fairview Residents Associations, Pádraig is a tireless campaigner on the key local issues.

Pádraig has the ability, energy & enthusiasm to build a better future.

Community and Democracy are at the core of Labour's beliefs. Labour can deliver a future for Dublin of which we can all be proud.

Páirtí an Lucht Oibre: New Direction, New Priorities

The Labour Party is Irelands largest leftwing party and was founded in 1912 in Clonmel by James Connolly, James Larkin and William O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. It is the oldest political party in Ireland and the only one which pre-dates independence. (See here for more Labour History.) The Labour Party seeks to build a society free from deprivation and based on the principles of democracy, equality, participation and co-operation.

My local Labour TD is Derek McDowell. He is the Labour Party spokesman on Finance and a Dublin City councillor. Derek is a native of Donnycarney, a past pupil of Ard Scoil Rís and now lives in Killester. We are in the Dáil constituency of Dublin North Central and in the Dublin Corporation electoral area of Clontarf.

Joe Costello is a Labour Senator based in the neighbouring Dublin Central constituency. Fairview used to be in this constituency and we retain close ties. Joe & I serve on the board of Marino College.

The Labour Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the constituency of Dublin is Prionsias de Rossa. He is also TD for the constituency of Dublin North West and spokesperson on European Affairs.

I stood in the 1999 local elections in the Clontarf local electoral area. (See Candidate list.) My priorities for Dublin are listed below. I issued statements during the campaign, some of which can be seen here:

• Taoiseach's attitude to the Dublin Port Tunnel objections (See Northside People article)
• Carleton Road - enough is enough (see pic)
• Call for community millennium funding
• Dublin's transport problems
• Special Oympics success
• Use An Post for Social Welfare payments (With Bernie Malone)
• Dempsey misleading public over GM food
• Young People & Politics

Party of European Socialists (PES)

My priorities for Dublin

• PLANNING & HOUSING
  * Build 10,000 social housing units per year
  * Better enforcement of planning laws & conditions
  * System of certification of reasonable value for new houses
  * Licensing system for private rented accommodation
• TRANSPORT / ROAD SAFETY
  * Put accessible buses on the Quality Bus Corridors which run on time
  * Subsidise public transport fares & build the Light Rail to the Airport
  * Protect residential areas from rat-running
  * More licences for taxis and hackneys
  * Safe routes for children, the elderly and bicycles
• SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED
  * All new transport vehicles should be accessible
  * All public buildings should be accessible
  * Increase availability of residential & respite care
  * Proper consultation with Irish Council for People with Disabilities
• ENVIRONMENT / WASTE
  * Maximise recycling - expand the green bin scheme
  * Implement Litter Act & Waste Management Act
  * Improve street cleaning services
• CHILDCARE
  * Establish task force on childcare & pre-school services
  * Positively encourage quality childcare facilities in all plans
• SAFE NEIGHBOURHOODS
  * Establish Garda Liaison Committees for communities
  * Put more Gardaí on the beat in our neighbourhoods
• COMMUNITY & RECREATION
  * Invest now in local facilities for youth & community groups
  * Improve our libraries, sports facilities & swimming pools
  * Develop a local Arts & Culture Plan
  

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