Sustainable Planning/Election Pledge

If elected to Dublin City Council on Friday 23rd May I will ensure that proper sustainable planning is to the forefront of my five year term as Councillor. In recent years we have seen countless examples of bad planning in our area. While the role of City Councillor has been eroded over the years, Councillors still retain oversight over such matters as planning, housing, parks and recreation, roads and footpaths and services such as libraries and bring banks/recycling centres.

It will be my responsibility to use the powers available to a Councillor to the utmost in order to deliver services for the community. Of the 17 candidates contesting this election, I feel that I am best equipped to deliver for the area as I have lived my entire life in the community and have an intimate street by street knowledge of the entire ward. I also have an excellent knowledge of the day to day running of local government. While the City Manager possesses executive powers over how the city is run, there still remains reserved functions entrusted to Councillors i.e. decisions which require the approval of elected members. The annual budget of Dublin City Council is in excess of €800 million. I will be diligent and make certain that our community receives the requisite amount of funding for local services. In this regard I will always vote in the best interests of my constituents and always consult with the public as to what is best for our locality.

Paul Hand
Independent Candidate
Dublin City Council Local Elections 2014

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Ballyfermot requires more visible Garda presence.

 Following concerns conveyed to me by local residents I have become aware of a number of house break-insfortunate enough to be elected as your Councillor, I will use my position on the Joint Policing Committee to ensure that the concerns of residents are heard by the local Gardaí. I am an advocate of community based policing as this is the most effective way to patrol our community. More Garda bicycle and foot patrols are required to act as an effective deterrent to a small minority of individuals who prey on our community.

Chapelizod Requires Sustainable Development

I was very heartened to see that several derelict properties were recently purchased in Chapelizod Village. I do hope the new owner(s) of these properties have good plans for these buildings, in keeping with the historical lineage of the Chapelizod and Phoenix Park areas. If I am elected to Dublin City Council, I will scrutinise every single planning application for the Chapelizod area, and I will consult with residents as to what is best for the area in terms of sustainable development. At the recent AGM of the Chapelizod Heritage Society I put my name forward to join the committee. I have a great passion for the history of the area and I particularly enjoyed Prof. Raymon Gillespie’s talk on the history of the Liffey Valley at the meeting. I am looking forward to the next meeting of the Society.