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

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

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

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