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

Christmas and New Year with Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Costello

As part of her Christmas schedule, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello, will attend a number of engagements with her husband, Joe Costello TD, on Friday 25th December, Christmas Day.
“Christmas is a joyful time when families gather to celebrate the wonderful festival. Unfortunately some people have to spend the Christmas period in hospital because they are ill. Others miss out on Christmas because they are homeless or alone. We should remember them at this time.
Because children are so central to the Christmas festivities and the Christmas message, I am delighted to have the opportunity of visiting the children who are patients in Temple Street and Crumlin Children’s Hospitals on Christmas Day morning. Also the Christmas Day Dinner for the homeless in the RDS organised by the Knights of Columbanus will be a highlight of the day as will the senior citizens Christmas Day Dinner in McKee Army Barracks on Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7.
I want to thank all those wonderful volunteers, nurses, firemen and Gardaí who will be out and about on Christmas Day providing food, essential services and security for the citizens of this City.
Finally I want to take this opportunity of wishing all the citizens of Dublin a wonderful, happy and safe Christmas.

Notes to the Editor
List of engagements
9:30 -10:15: Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin
10:30 -11:15 : Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin
11:30 -12:30: Christmas Day Dinner for the Homeless, RDS Ballsbridge
12:45 -1:45. Our Lady's Hospice, Harolds Cross
2:00 -3:00. McKee Barracks, Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner
3:00 -3:45. Mater Hospital

11:30 -12:30: Christmas Day Dinner for the Homeless, RDS Ballsbridge
12:45 -1:45. Our Lady's Hospice, Harolds Cross
2:00 -3:00. McKee Barracks, Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner
3:00 -3:45. Mater Hospital

Lord Mayor and National Women's Council Pay Tribute to Mary Robinson

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Emer Costello, welcoming Mary Robinson to City Hall
Originally uploaded by The Labour Party

Lord Mayor Councillor Emer Costello and the National Women's Council were delighted to host a reception in honour of Mary Robinson to celebrate the award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday 17 December. The reception takes place at City Hall, Dame Street at 19.00hrs on Thursday 17th December.

Lord Mayor, Cllr Emer Costello said "Mary Robinson is an inspiration to so many people both in Ireland and all around the world. For many years she pioneered awareness of human rights in Ireland including, in particular, women's rights. Her election as Ireland's first female President was a genuinely historic moment in Irish history and signalled real change in our political and social landscape. Subsequently, as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002 she was a voice for the vulnerable and the marginalised all over the world. She has continued to be that voice in many different roles since then. This was recognised by President Obama when she was honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in July this year, the highest civilian honour awarded by the US.”

Lord Mayor's Gala Christmas Concert

Lord Mayor's Gala Christmas Concert
Originally uploaded by Lord Mayor of Dublin

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello, hosted the annual Lord Mayor’s Christmas Concert on Sunday 20th December 2009 at 3pm in the Round Room of the Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

The event was a magical, festive and entertaining mix of Gospel Choir singing, beautiful Orchestral Music provided by secondary school students and readings from Christmas poetry. The evening was in aid of the “Mansion House Fuel Fund” which is the Lord Mayor’s only personal charity and can trace its roots back to 1870 and is thus one of the oldest charities in Dublin. The Mansion House Fuel Fund helps charities such as the SIMON Community, St. Vincent DePaul and the Rialto Social Centre to name but a few.

“It gives me great pleasure to be hosting this years’ Christmas Concert at the Mansion House. I know that the money raised tonight will go directly to charities that will ensure that those most in need will receive the assistance and care they require in a dignified and sensitive manner. I want to thank everyone who has participated this evening in making this event possible, from the kind people who have attended to the performers who have entertained us with their musical and poetic talents, your support is much appreciated” said the Lord Mayor.

Ends Notes to the Editor:Listed below are Charities whom the Mansion House Fuel Fund currently assist during the winter Months:Abbey Presbyterian Church Hamper Fund Dublin Parochial Society Little Sisters of the Assumption, Finglas Rialto Social Centre St Agatha’s Parish (Daughters of Charity, North William Street) St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral St. Vincent DePaul St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Jobstown, Tallaght SIMON Community

Background:Dublin City Council’s archives show that the Mansion House Fund for Relief of Distress in Ireland can trace its roots back to the 1870’s Ireland was beset by harvest failure during the 1870’s and in 1880 Famine threatened the country. To prevent this the Mansion House Fund was set up to collect money from Irish Emigrants all over the world Mansion House Fuel Fund, as we know it today, was set up by Sir John Arnott in 1891. It was originally set up to assist the needy during a particularly hard winter. At the end of that winter the surplus was carried over to the next year and the Mansion House Fuel Fund has continued to aid the needy in Dublin since. It is one of the oldest charities in Dublin The Lord Mayor is Chairperson of the Fund and is assisted by the Secretary and Treasurer. The committee meets twice a year with the Lord Mayor to determine the level of grants to be allocated to the recognised Charitable Bodies during the winter months Mansion House Fuel Fund distributes cash grants through a number of Charitable Societies, without any distinction of creed. It was one of the first truly Ecumenical Charities in the City There are no paid staff running the Charity and all donations go the needy. The only costs incurred are postage and administration costs Preas Eisiúint

Filipino Christmas Lantern - 18.12.09 091

Filipino Christmas Lantern - 18.12.09 091
Originally uploaded by Lord Mayor of Dublin

The Philippines Ambassador H.E. Mr. Ariel Y. Abadilla presented a ‘Parol’ (traditional Filipino Christmas lantern) to Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Costello.

The lantern shines in the front window of the Mansion House for the Christmas period and is a symbol of home to all Philippinos living in Dublin.

Presenting the parol to the Lord Mayor Ambassador Abadilla said: “As a symbol of the Filipino people’s friendship and gratitude to the City of Dublin and the Irish people, the first resident Embassy of the Philippines in Ireland is delighted to mark the historic significance of its establishment in June of this year by presenting to the Lord Mayor, a ‘parol’ or traditional Philippine Christmas lantern. The lantern that we present to the Lord Mayor is the most recognizable Christmas ornament for Filipinos wherever in the world they may be. The “parol” is intricately designed and handmade with “capiz” or shells. The ‘parol’ reminds Filipinos of the star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi on their way in search of the Infant Jesus,”

Accepting the Lantern on behalf of the people of Dublin, the Lord Mayor Cllr Emer stated "One of the things I’ve most enjoyed about being Lord Mayor is meeting people from every walk of life and from all parts of the city. People from all over the world now live in Dublin and the Filipino community are very prominent in social, cultural, business and community circles. It’s a pleasure to accept this beautiful lantern which says to the many Filipinos here that although they are far from their birth home this Christmas they have a home here in Dublin,”