Implementing fundamental rights of irregular migrants – towards multi-level governance

On 17 October, I had the honour of representing Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at a joint meeting of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency and the Committee of the Regions.

While I was disappointed to be missing the 17 October ceremony in Dublin, which I attend annually, it was appropriate to mark the day speaking about one of the most vulnerable groups in our society - irregular migrants.

My speech focused on the role of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and also on initiatives being taken by Dublin City Council in relation to issues of integration.

There is no doubt that there is a body of work to be done. I referred in my speech to a motion proposed by Cllr Rebecca Moynihan to Dublin City Council in terms of addressing the issue of regularising the position of undocumented or irregular migrants.

Click on link below for full text of speech.

Speech by Cllr Emer COSTELLO

on behalf of the

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Council of Europe

at the

3^rd Annual Dialogue on Multi-level Protection and Promotion of Fundamental Rights

“Implementing fundamental rights of irregular migrants – towards multi-level governance”

Great Writers, Great Places - A Truly Novel Idea!

As Dublin continues to celebrate its status as a Unesco City of Literature, a number of events are scheduled to take place throughout the City this autumn. Dublin has a remarkable literary tradition from Swift to Wilde and that literary tradition lives on with a rich crop of contemporary writers living in the City as evidenced by the "Great Writers, Great Places" events which will take place all over the City this autumn. Words will intertwine with the city as Words on the Street comes to life. Writers will demonstrate their skill and imagination as they present their works in unusual haunts.

I was deeply honoured to launch "Great Writing Great Places" series of literary events this evening on board the Jeanie Johnston. It was really great to see the first event packed to the rafters - despite the blustery weather.

The first session on the Jeanie Johnson relived stories of emigration and loss, a theme prevalent in our history and in the national psyche. Marita Conlon-McKenna, Martina Devlin and Kate Kerrigan shared personal stories, family histories and inspirations for their writings on the theme of emigration, family and loss.

As we huddled together on the replica Famine Ship, the stories shared had a particular poignancy. For many present there was a certain resonance about the current wave of emigration and what it means for this generation.
"Great Writers, Great Places" will follow many inspiring and interesting writers and locations such as The Four Courts, Glasnevin Cemetery, Lost Society, Fallon& Byrne and the crypt at Christ Church.

Great credit is due to Jane Alger and the team at Dublin Public Libraries for developing this event which is just one of many events organised to celebrate our literary heritage.
Details of dates and events can be checked on www.dublincityofliterature.ie. Most of the events are free of charge, booking is required for some.

National Paediatric Hospital Must Take Account of Local Concerns

The National Paediatric Hospital (NPH) lodged a Strategic Infrastructure Development Application to An Bord Pleanala for the development of a 16 storey 392-bed in-patient plus 53 day care bed National Paediatric Hospital. Full details of the planning application can be viewed on the designated webstie for the New Children's Hospital Photomontages providing visual images of the impact of the development on the City Skyline can be viewed on this website: click on link to photomontages) The deadline for submissions to An Bord Pleanala on this application is 14 September 2011. It is likely that an oral hearing will take place on the proposal. Members of Dublin City Council considered the report of Dublin City Council at its monthly meeting on Monday 5 September. The following is the text of my remarks to the Dublin City Council. Statement by Cllr Emer Costello on the application for the New Children's Hospital at Eccles Street

Grangegorman SDZ Adopted

Another milestone in the development of the unified campus for the Dublin Institute of Technoloy and new HSE Mental Health and Primary Care facilities on the site of St Brendan's Hospital was achieved recently when Dublin City Council adopted the Grangegorman Stratgic Development Zone.
Residents from the Grangegorman Neighbourhood were in contact with me in relation to their concerns and the impact of the development on their homes. As a result of residents’ submissions, I proposed a number of motions to ensure that residents’ concerns would be taken into consideration.
For further information click on the link to my report on motions .
Dublin City Council placed the revised Planning Scheme on Public Display. Members of the public had until 22 August to lodge observations on the revisions to An Bord Pleanala. An Bord Pleanala will decide shortly on whether to hold an Oral Hearing on th SDZ.
I am aware that residents have serious concerns in relation to the development and hope that these amendments will go some way towards allaying some of those concerns. Residents can be assured of my continued support and commitment to working with them to seek to minimise the impact of the development on their homes.

Plans for O'Devaney Gardens Get Green Light from An Bord Pleanala

An Bord Pleansla has given the green light for the regeneration of the O'Devaney Gardens. This is great news for the residents of O'Devaney Gardens who were let down do badly in 2008 by the collapse of the McNamara Public Private Partnerhsip when their dreams of new homes and the social regeneration of the area, including new community facilities were completely shattered.
The proposal approved by An Bord Pleanala includes the construction of 91 residential units (social and private housing) as well as the provision of a public park in Phase 1. Dublin City Council plan start the demolition of a further five blocks in August. It is hoped that construction on phase one will start in 2012 with completion of the first residential units by 2013.
As a member of the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board I am completely committed to working with residents of O'Devaney Gardens and the surrounding commuities to ensure the delivery of a quality regeneration project which will provide the social and physical regeneration long promised and much overdue to the area.

See link to Irish Times Report Friday 12 August 2011