Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Lord Mayor welcomes new high tech jobs for Dublin

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Emer Costello was delighted to be present at the Digital Hub in Dublin this morning for the announcement by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Mary Coughlan, TD, that Gala Inc., a leading Japanese online gaming company, is to expand its European Headquarters in Dublin with the creation of 103 new, high-quality jobs. The company is located in Dublin’s Digital Hub and the expansion is facilitated by the Irish Government with the support of IDA Ireland.
'The jobs announced by Gala Limited today are exactly the kind of jobs that we need to create for Dublin. Last week I hosted two workshops as part of my commission on employment. The focus of the second workshop was promoting the cultural and creative industries and innovation in Dublin. Todays jobs are showing that Dublin is a city where creation and innovation can translate into real jobs. The jobs announced today require high skill levels as well as language skills.
Creative industries will be a key factor in our economic recovery. I congratulate Hyun Gur, CEO pf Gala Limited on today's announcement and wish him and his staff every success in the Digital Hub.'

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Lord Mayor's statement on City Water Supply Problems


'I wish to thank the people of Dublin for their continued conservation of water and for their co-operation during the current difficulties being experienced with regard to the supply of water in Dublin. The situation continues to be critical and I ask that people continue to be proactive in reducing water usage to ensure that supply is returned to all areas of the city as soon as possible.
Another briefing was arranged this evening for the Members of the City Council to fully update them on the current situation. The situation is continuing to receive the highest priority with every effort being made to get a supply to the worst affected areas.
Due to the critical shortage of treated water I would urge each and every one of us to be miserly in our use of water. Please do not use power hoses to wash windows, cars or clean the path. Please do not run the tap unnecessarily. It will take some time for the supply to return to normal. The more we all conserve water the quicker the supply will be restored to normal.
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the staff of the City Council and the members of the Civil Defence forces who have worked so hard over the last number of weeks to help get the supplies to people and to repair the broken water mains.’
Information on the availability of water tankers is being continually updated on the City Council website www.dublincity.ie Click the icon for a tap.
Other mobile tankers are being deployed to assist with hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
The Lord Mayor also asked that those with special needs should contact 01 2220600 - available until 6 pm. The after hours number of 01 6796186 will be available after 6.00 pm.
Further statements will issue before the weekend to update the people of Dublin

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Workshops to look at the new thinking that can kick-start recovery

Workshops to look at the new thinking that can kick-start recovery
The arts and creative industries will be key factors in our economic recovery. And, by attracting foreign students here, we are making vital links with the business leaders of tomorrow.

These are the key messages in two exciting seminars Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Costello is hosting at the Wood Quay Venue as part of her Commission on Employment. The workshops take place on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th January between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

Lord Mayor Costello says “I want these workshops to encourage people to think differently. For example, people sometimes think the arts merely receive money from central government. However, the new economy means we must harness resources we have that other countries don’t have. Our creativity is perhaps the most important resource we have in Ireland.

“Also, while foreign students contributed an estimated €5 billion to our economy in 2009 we should only see this as the tip of the ice-berg. Foreign students are the leaders of tomorrow and if Ireland is open to them we can place ourselves in a better position when they make the investment decisions of tomorrow.

Please support the Lord Mayor’s appeal on behalf of the victims of the earthquake in Haiti

Like many people I was deeply touched by the images on our television screens in recent days documenting the exten of the tragedy following the earthquake in Haiti. I was persnally moved to launch an appeal and collection on behalf of the following charities – Trocaire, Concern, GOAL and the Irish Red Cross.

‘I believe the people of Dublin would welcome the opportunity to express their support for the families and relatives of people who died, were injured and were made homeless by this disaster’ said the Lord Mayor.

‘I am aware that the people of Dublin have suffered over the last year from the downturn in the economy with many people losing their jobs, with increases in taxes and of course the recent spell of bad weather. However I personally welcome the chance to do anything I can to assist the tremendous work being done by the aid agencies and to facilitate public support for their work.

I have arranged to have a facility to collect money at the Mansion House, Dawson Street, the Civic Offices, Wood Quay and City Hall, Dame Street. I would encourage others to arrange collections in work places, at church gates and in pubs and shops and any other place where people gather.’

The collection boxes will be open at the Mansion House, Civic Offices and City Hall at the following times:

Fri 15th January 2010 14.00 to 17.00
Sat 16th January 2010 10.00 to 17.00 (Mansion House and City Hall only)
Mon 18th January 2010 10.00 to 17.00
Tues 19th January 2010 10.00 to 17.00
Wed. 20th January 2010 10.00 to 17.00

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Lord Mayor Statement on City Water Supply Problems

The Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Costello has thanked the people of Dublin for their response to the conservation of water. She advises that the situation continues to be critical and she asked that people continue to be proactive in reducing water usage to ensure that supply is returned to all areas of the city as soon as possible.

“Given the ongoing water supply problems I have requested the City Manager to improve communications to the general public particularly in the most effected areas of the City.” Arising from this a briefing session has been arranged with members of the City Council this evening to fully update on the current situation.

The Lord Mayor said that “the situation is receiving the highest priority and every effort is being made to get a supply to the most affected areas.”

“I am also asking people to be extremely vigilant of bogus door-to-door callers, purporting to be operatives from the Water Services Division of the City Council. I urge people not to give anyone access to their homes, without having completely satisfied themselves as to the callers identity. This has been identified as a real problem, particularly in the Dublin 8 area of the City. There are however, some simple steps you can take to safeguard yourself, such as: request the callers’ name, proof of identity and their credentials; ask them for a City Council contact telephone number to verify their bona fides; check to see if there is a City Council vehicle, outside their home, with City Council branding and markings clearly indicating the City Council Department and Division to which it belongs. The Gárda.ie website contains very useful information on their homepage, clearly outlining the steps that should be taken by householders to protect themselves from bogus callers, and satisfy themselves as to the caller’s identity”, the Lord Mayor added.

Information on the availability of water tankers is being continually updated on the City Council website www.dublincity.ie Other mobile tankers are being deployed to assist with hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

The Lord Mayor also asked that those with special needs should contact 01 2220600 - available until 8pm. The after hours number of 01 6796186 will be available post 8pm.

Further statements will issue before the weekend to update the public.

Ends.

Should you wish to interview the Lord Mayor, please contact her directly at Tel: 086 3831805

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Lord Mayor's Commission on Employment - Workshop Invitations

Promoting Dublin As An International Student City
Workshop Date: Monday 18th January 2010; 9.30a.m – 1.00p.m, Wood Quay Venue, Dublin Civic Offices.

Panel
Dr. Robert Flood, Head of International Affairs, Dublin Institute of Technology
Mr. Paul Kearns, Senior Planner, Dublin City Council
Mr. Peter Mannion, President, Union Students of Ireland
Mr. Tom Boland, CEO, Higher Education Authority
Mr. Kevin O'Sullivan, Principal Officer, Dept of Justice, Equality & Law Reform
Ms. Sheila Power, Director, Irish Council for International Students
Mr. Frank Magee, CEO, Dublin Tourism
CHAIR: Mr. Michael Stubbs, Assistant City Manager, Dublin City Council

Promoting Cultural & Creative Industries and Innovation in Dublin’
Workshop Date: Tuesday 19th January 2010 ; 9.30a.m – 1.00p.m, Wood Quay Venue, Dublin Civic Offices.

Panel
Mr. Ned Costello, CEO, Irish Universities Association
Dr. Chirs Horn, Co-founder & former Chief Executive Officer, Iona Technologies & member of the Innovation TaskforceMr. Philip Maguire, Assistant City Manager, Dept. of Culture, Recreation & Amenities, Dublin City CouncilMs. Aibhlín McCrann, Board Member of the Arts Council
Mr. Sean McCrave, CEO, Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland
Mr. Toby Scott, Director of Pentacle Ireland and Founding Director of the Centre for Design Innovation
Mr. Willie White, Director, Project Arts Centre
Mr. Frank Magee, CEO, Dublin Tourism
CHAIR: Mr. Declan McGonagle, Director, National College of Art Design

A background paper for each of the works is attached for your information.

Schedule for Workshop:
9.30 Registration, Tea & Coffee
10.00 Lord Mayor's Welcome & Outline of the Lord Mayor's Commission
10.15 Workshop opened by the Chair
10.30 Panel Discussion
12.00 Agree key conclusion & recommendations
12.30 Light Lunch

For further information please contact:
Lord Mayor Cllr. Emer Costello 086 3831805
Lorna Maxwell, Economic Development Unit, Tel: 087 9665708

Monday, January 11, 2010

Lord Mayor, Cllr Emer Costello to Prioritise Debate on Council’s Response to January Freezing Weather at City Council Meeting, Monday 11 January

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Emer Costello has requested the City Manager to draw up a comprehensive report on the City Council’s response to the freezing weather crisis in preparation for the City Council meeting on Monday 11 January. The Lord Mayor has announced she has prioritised the matter for debate under Lord Mayor’s Business at the Council meeting.
Speaking in advance of the City Council meeting on Monday evening the Lord Mayor stated that
“We have had an unprecedented period of winter weather, consisting snow and ice, indeed arctic conditions in the Capital City and throughout the country. There has been public frustration and confusion at the lack of Government co-ordination to the crisis. It is important too that we have an honest and full evaluation of the City Council’s performance during this period. Everything should be on the table: co-ordination at national and local level, the extent road gritting, the availability or non-availability of rock salt and gritting materials, communications both on an inter-agency basis and the public information systems which were in place, the deployment of staff, the provision of services to the public during the crisis and most importantly the impact of the cuts in our budget on our response to the crisis. We need to learn the lessons of this crisis and we need to ensure that we have systems in place to deal with any such event in the future.”
The Lord Mayor added that “we also have to appreciate what was achieved by our staff on ever-dwindling resources. I would like to thank the City Council staff who worked tirelessly to provide essential services. Seven teams of road-gritters worked throughout the City day and night to try to keep our streets clear. Other staff were redeployed to clear pavements with high pedestrian usage. Dublin City Council staff ensured that the pavements at senior citizen complexes were kept clear. While clearly there were many areas that were not reached or covered by these teams, the work of the Council staff is to be commended.
“I appreciated that following my representations to the Manager, shower facilities in the City Council inner city swimming pools at Sean McDermott Street and Markievicz Pool were made available to people who had no water and washing facilities.”
The Lord Mayor also paid tribute to members of the public for the remarkable civic and community spirit which has been so much in evidence throughout the City. Many residents and businesses rowed in with clearing the pavements outside their homes and premises. Hospital staff worked extra hours and those who lived outside the capital arranged to stay in Dublin with relatives or friends so that they could continue to provide their services. People made special efforts to donate blood and replete the dwindling supplies. Neighbours looked in on neighbours to ensure that those who were not as mobile were still had sufficient provisions to keep them over the cold spell.”
The Lord Mayor concluded that “ while there has been something of a thaw in recent days, the freezing conditions are not yet over. At least another week’s bad weather is predicted. We must continue to make every effort to maintain a high level of response to ensure the safety of our citizens. And it is important to have a full debate on the issues encountered so to ensure that the learning outcomes are taken on board and acted on for the future. “
Ends
Cllr Emer Costello, Lord Mayor of Dublin,
Tel: 086 3831805