Motions
To ask the Chief Executive if he will introduce a freepost system for people wishing to write to South Dublin County Council, to encourage greater participation in local democracy, for people returning official documents, such as grant applications, housing applications sending in submissions on planning applications etc.
South Dublin County Council calls on the Minister for the Environment Eamonn Ryan T.D to amend the Litter pollution Act 1997 and the waste management act 1996 to provide a clear statutory framework for the use of CCTV by local Authorities to deter and prosecute litter offences within their administrative areas.
That this Council writes to the Government welcoming the decision to introduce and progress legislation to deal effectively with the ongoing menace of the illegal use of Quads/Scramblers which has been raised many times on this Council's agenda and the Joint Policing Committee and will the Chief Executive take the opportunity to update members in respect of his efforts to deal with the matter.
That this Council adopt the 'doughnut' economy as a policy to be applied, whenever possible in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, given that the Doughnut Economy is based on the premise that "Humanity's 21st century challenge is to meet the needs of all within the means of the planet. In other words, to ensure that no one falls short on life's essentials (from food and housing to healthcare and political voice), while ensuring that collectively we do not overshoot our pressure on Earth's life-supporting systems, on which we fundamentally depend - such as a stable climate, fertile soils, and a protective ozone layer.
That this Council commits to a timeline for the full phase-out of 'kissing gates' from parks and public spaces in South Dublin County. These gates are intended to deter scrambler bikes and quad bikes, but also deny access to users of wheelchairs, prams and bicycles. In view of new powers available to An Garda Siochana to act on the use of scramblers and quads in public areas, kissing gates can no longer be justified as a deterrent. This Council will adapt or replace all kissing gates to facilitate universal access to our public realm.
This council agrees that SDCC conduct a pilot project to map discarded drug litter caused by the use of Nitrous Oxide AKA “silver bullets” across the County. Furthermore, that this council write to the Minister for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy, urging that he rolls out a Nitrous Oxide 'National Awareness Programme' and to engage the industry with responsibility for this product as part of the solution.
That this Council will conduct a feasibility study and work with the appropriate SPC(s) to look at the setting up of at least one Library of Things and Repair Cafe in the county.
That the Manager, wherever possible, acquires properties for social housing through Part V under all current and upcoming SHD developments, rather than agreeing to lease properties, and presents a report on the implication of Build to Rent planning permissions in relation to the delivery of social housing under Part V.
That the Chief Executive reports on the availability of interest-free/Islamic financing models supported by SDCC in terms of its own incremental tenant purchase schemes and Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan schemes; and, if facilitating same for residents of our county requires Departmental approval, to write to the Minister for Housing asking for such schemes to be facilitated at the earliest opportunity, with all due diligence applied.
That this council supports expanding voting rights to include 16 and 17 year olds. Should the motion be agreed, writing to notify An Taoiseach, the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
That this council supports the aims of the Campaign for an All Ireland National Health Service, including an end to the two-tier public/private health system and making healthcare free at the point of access for everyone. If passed, a letter will be issued to the Campaign to request that South Dublin County Council is added to their list of supporters.
That this Council agrees to write to the Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and requests that the Mental Health Acts be amended to ensure that family members may at all times be consulted in relation to a mental health diagnosis to allow those family members provide the assistance and support needed to treat such a diagnosis
That this Council supports that the new National Maternity Hospital will be publicly owned with a secular and inclusive ethos, including if necessary, the consideration of alternative sites, already in public ownership, such as Tallaght and Blanchardstown.
The calls for the separation of church and state where reproductive healthcare is concerned have been clearly expressed through Repeal and Marriage Equality. We call on Minister Donnelly to respond to this Council clearly outlining the plan for the new National Materniy Hospital.