How can you help me get elected?

1. Donate: My campaign to run for local Government for a second term will cost money if you help i would appreciate every € can help @ https://www.gofundme.com/cllr-francis-timmons-clondalkin-lea or AIB Clondalkin Election Account number: 43975-097
2. Add Friends and Family to my Facebook Group: I appreciate any help please add people to my group on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/Francistimmons/
3. Word of Mouth: Tell your friends and family about my work
4. Campaign: Offer to give up a few hours to drop leaflets during the campaign.
5. Social Media: Share my posts with Friends and Family
6. Text 5 Plus Friends and Family: Text Friends and Family and ask them to vote for Timmons
7. Posters: Offer to display a poster in your home window or business in the lead up to the campaign or in your car window

I would be honored to represent the Clondalkin Local electoral area made up of Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Newcastle, Brittas and Saggart on the next council. You can help me achieve my goal!

Closing submission  Cllr Francis Timmons Clondalkin Independent Councillor

As I stated previously I have lived over 40 years of my life in Clondalkin and I grew up and now live relatively near the Clonburris Lands. We in Clondalkin are left with a legacy of bad planning and corruption , and a national housing crisis that has effected many citizens in Clondalkin and south Dublin county council that extends through social, affordable and private housing requirements as I have said all along.  After  attending and actively engaging with 36 ½ hours SDZ Council meetings , and  30 motions I put down at these meeting and co-signed many of my independent colleagues motions. My arguments have never been against housing or indeed building on the Clonburris Lands. An estimated additional 20,000 people will live in Adamstown and 20,000 in Clonburris , These people deserve to live in a sustainable community.600 submissions where made in the first stage of the SDZ and many of Those issues are still what we are trying to address through this appeal.

We  heard that Clonburris SDZ offers a new way of community living, In my opinion little regard has been given to the surrounding areas of Lucan and Clondalkin two built up suburbs who will be adversely affected by this SDZ especially in regards to traffic. I asked SDCC during the oral hearing what efforts were made by SDCC to get an affordable housing scheme included as part of the Clonburris SDZ ? and was the minister asked to allow an increase into council houses percentage from 10% on private lands? These questions where not answered , upto 10am today we still don’t know if SDCC approached the minister for housing and asked for an affordable scheme ? I just learnt this morning that no specific request went to the Minister or Dept. for Clonburris.

This is of major concern to all those in Clondalkin and Lucan who are desperate to buy a home and cant and wont afford to buy in the proposed Clonburris SDZ. Integrated housing is the way forward and again a recent example of where this hasn’t happened is Shackleton where the 60 social housing units were all lumped together. This is not integration. It segregates people and I believe we need to live together in real communities.

Community Facilities – I outlined the need for playspaces , teenage facilities , community spaces etc. I asked will they be delivered in tandem with the housing and I hope this happens but I and others are sceptical given broken commitments in the past that I outlined examples in my first submission at this hearing.

Transport – We were told that the SDZ aims to address Traffic challenges and then told it can’t sort all the issues locally with traffic. We have been told at this hearing there is Traffic congestion and then told Clonburris won’t add to traffic congestion , My concerns around traffic coming out of the Clonburris SDZ and onto Clondalkin and Lucan already congested roads has not been addressed . To add to this a promised Metro that was to go through Clondalkin is not on the table and the Dart Underground which is not included in the national planning framework  looks unlikely in the foreseeable future  . at best it may happen in 2027 ? , The Lucan Luas is at least 10 plus years from delivery so in conclusion in regards to traffic , I still don’t feel or nor do many residents I represent feel that there is adequate provision within the Clonburris SDZ for a proper and comprehensive transport network.

The issues that drivers on the Fonthill road face is long delays at certain times of the day. If there is an accident on the M50 it is even more congested, The further issues of Lucan and Clondalkin village being at a standstill as is at times throughout the day. The huge volume of cars coming from Liffey Valley etc So Again I remind An Bord Plenanala of The approved Kilcarberry building project that will deliver over 1000 houses and Eircom , balgaddy and oldcastle social council housing developments all in the pipeline and all will be using the Fonthill road and the started St Cuthberts park houses. I have not on the whole had my concerns alleviated, while I welcome Bus Connects in principal and this hopefully will provide a service to Balgaddy that has never had a bus service , Areas like Palmerstown woods in Clondalkin that is over 40 years old has never had a bus service on a road with 2 new housing developments , a prison and a travellers community centre and Halting site.

I again ask An Bord Pleanála to reject the NTAs call for no phasing of Busses and Lucan Luas and that the Bord fully consider what is appropriate in regards to this .

We can allocate a site for a fire station in the plan but none for a Garda Station, I am appalled to learn that there has been no communication from the department of Justice to SDCC in regards to providing extra funds and resources for the Clonburris SDZ , The people need and deserve better I ask that the Minister be asked as part of this appeal to comment on the safety of residents in regards to law and order in the SDZ and that this issue of huge public concern is addressed in an appropriate manner.

All I have asked throughout this long process is that the final plan meets the varied needs of those in need of housing that must include social , affordable and private in an integrated and fully inclusive community, and that the Transport system does not to overly effect already congested and struggling road networks and that a Garda station adequately resourced and capable of dealing with the large numbers of people that will live in the completed Clonburris SDZ is made part of the plan and that community infrastructure is delivered and mapped out clearly in the SDZ. Above all I want a sustainable town that people will want to live in and will demonstrate by design and transport networks a real and tangible commitment to a sustainable town that will address needs of the surrounding areas.

In regards to the Clonburris SDZ, as stated previously I Voted for the final draft of the Clonburris SDZ not because I felt it was the best plan and most sustainable community but because as stated before I wouldn’t vote against housing, We need to learn from past mistakes. I don’t believe this SDZ is a sustainable new community and i ask that An Bord Plenanala consider mine and other appeals and ensure the delivery of a sustainable community.

My name is Cllr Francis Timmons Clondalkin Independent Councillor , I have no background in planning , I have a honors degree in disability but I have lived over 40 years of my life in Clondalkin , I grew up and now live relatively near the Clonburris Lands. We in Clondalkin are left with a legacy of bad planning and corruption , and a national housing crisis that has effects many citizens in Clondalkin and south Dublin county council that extends through social, affordable and private housing requirements.  I attended 36 ½ hours SDZ Council meetings and My arguments have never been against housing or indeed building on the Clonburris Lands.

We were left with promises of community facilities that took decades to deliver and some that we still wait for today i.e. the likes of Banakelly community space in Newcastle and Orchard Lane community space in Clondalkin that where to be delivered in tangent with housing. People are sceptical of planning and planners. We are left with the legacy of bad planning in the area of Balgaddy where some people live in overcrowded, poor quality and substandard living conditions despite promises of a new way of living. So you can understand why people are concerned and sceptical about the delivery of a sustainable town the size of Wexford sandwiched in between the hugely built up suburbs of Clondalkin and Lucan.

Yesterday we heard that Clonburris SDZ offers a new way of community living, We were all told during the Clonburris SDZ planning meetings to treat the Clonburris SDZ as a standalone project separate from Clondalkin and Lucan this is not possible, they are all interlinked. Our role as local councillors is to represent the constituents and their concerns. I feel part of that role is to ensure that any new buildings works does not adversely affect residents already living in the surrounding areas.

In regards to the Clonburris SDZ, Firstly I Voted for the final draft of the Clonburris SDZ not because I felt it was the best plan and most sustainable community but because I wouldn’t vote against housing, We as public representatives have been given, by the SDZ legislation, a role to plan and design sustainable communities, including housing, facilities and service development within the Clonburris lands, and, have been given the task to adopt a plan that will promote a sustainable community in this new Town. The vision we tried to put forward and adopt through our individual and collective council motions during the SDZ meetings , was one that sought to fully develop the SDZ concept where residential, commercial, community and essential services such as public transport, are provided and developed in an integrated and phased manner. This is our chance to get it right , to build a sustainable community that we won’t be looking back in 10 , 20 , 30 years and regretting poor development planning decisions.  We need to learn from past mistakes. This SDZ we are told could be a 20-30 year project.

I want to focus on some of my main concerns re Clonburris SDZ and they are as follows:

• Housing – I feel the Clonburris SDZ offers the last tangible and real opportunity to address the Huge Housing crisis in South Dublin County council, I feel the social housing across the private owned land should be at least 15% if not up 20% along with a 40% affordable housing scheme and the rest private housing. This  could and needs be done with Government supports and I want a fully integrated and mixed community. Most of the housing in my opinion needs to be beside or near the train stations in the town centres to eliminate some of the need to travel and additional traffic I ask SDCC what efforts were made by SDCC to get an affordable housing scheme included as part of the Clonburris SDZ ? and was the minister asked to allow an increase into council houses percentage from 10% to 15% or 20% on private lands?

• Community Facilities – I would like to see greater commitment to when playspaces , teenage facilities , community spaces etc will be delivered in tandem with the housing. Who will oversee the delivery of playspaces , teenage facilities and community spaces etc ? and when will they be delivered?

• Transport – We were told yesterday that the SDZ aims to address Traffic challenges, My concerns are around traffic coming out of the Clonburris SDZ and onto Clondalkin and Lucan already congested roads. A promised Metro that was to go through Clondalkin has now disappeared of all government plans and I don’t feel or nor do many residents I represent feel that there is adequate provision within the Clonburris SDZ for a proper and comprehensive transport network.  Again for this to go ahead as is will adversely affect the lives of residents already living in the Clondalkin and Lucan area. For example the Fonthill road face long delays at certain times of the day. Lucan and Clondalkin village are at a standstill as is at times throughout the day. The huge volume of cars coming from Liffey Valley. The approved Kilcarberry building project that will deliver over 1000 houses and Eircom , balgaddy and oldcastle social council housing developments all in the pipeline and all will be using the Fonthill road. Where these new developments taken into account when considering traffic impact? Where the congested roads at grangecastle , Newcastle and Fonthil considered as part of traffic impact ? what times where the traffic surveys carried out at? What efforts are being made by SDCC to deal with traffic congestion already evident throughout Dublin Mid-West?

I heard with dismay yesterday from the NTAs contribution it seems they want less commitment to phasing and restrictions put into the plan can I ask SDCC to comment on this? Can I also ask that this is not part of the final SDZ and that all already agreed traffic measures in the plan are kept in the plan.

• Garda Station – With crime rates and major drug issues apparent in the day to day life of our community, the current Garda stations are with the greatest of will and effort struggling to fight crime, This along with Shootings and serious crimes has left many report feeling unsafe in their communities as petty crimes, drug dealing etc. take grip of our community. I feel a commitment to build a large Garda station on or near the Clonburris SDZ must be written into the Clonburris SDZ. The extra resources and costs involved in providing a safe environment and law and order must in my opinion be committed to in writing prior to the Clonburris SDZ being given final approval given the current deficits in man power and resources. Can I ask what SDCC have done in regards to combatting escalating crime in the area and what additional supports they will put in place to combat anti-social behaviour and what the cost of this will be and how the cost will be met ? Has SDCC asked the department of justice and Garda headquarters to ensure additional resources are available to ensure that this SDZ is a safe and sustainable town? And what there reply was to such a request?

All I ask is that the final plan meets the varied needs of those in need of social affordable and private housing in an integrated and shared manner, and that the Transport system does not to overly effect already congested and struggling road networks and that a Garda station adequately resourced and capable of dealing with the large numbers of people that will live in the completed Clonburris SDZ is made part of the plan and that community infrastructure is delivered and mapped out clearly in the SDZ. Above all I want a sustainable town that people will want to live in and will live full and active happy lives. Prevention is always better than cure so I hope that’s An Bord Pleanála listen to mine and others appeal and that this SDZ is relooked at and made into a much more sustainable plan that will deliver not just for new residents that will move in when its built but will add facilities that will benefit the surrounding areas and a transport network that will deliver for everyone concerned.

To this end I ask that a Project Manager be put in place to oversee a team responsible for the delivery of the Clonburris SDZ and that residents in surrounding areas have a designated contact that can deal with issues of Noise . working times , dust and other issues that may arise during building works. I ask what plan has SDCC got in place for this? And when will this be delivered? And how often will the elected councillors be kept updated on the progress of the SDZ? And given that after May Local Elections the SDZ will be in 3 local electoral areas how will this be managed ?

Monday 21^st January marks a significant milestone in Irelands History, On January 21^st 1919, the First Dail (An Chéad Dáil) met in Dublin and declared an independent Irish Republic. It also marked the first day of the War of Independence (Cogadh na Saoirse) , The war lasted from 1919 to 1921 between the Irish Republican Army and the British security forces in Ireland, Now One Hundred years later it is a time to reflect on what that independence has meant and what type of a Republic we want moving forward.

My Grandfather fought in the War of Independence as part of Fianna Éireann, Fianna Éireann was an Irish nationalist youth organisation founded by Bulmer Hobson and Constance Markievicz. Constance Markievicz  was also the first woman in the world to hold a cabinet position. My Grandfather was proud of the part he played in the fight for Irish Freedom and was a staunch republican. The chief of staff of Fianna Éireann was Eamon Martin and My grandfather’s certificate signed by Martin and a picture of my grandad from 1919 hangs proudly in my home as a reminder of the struggles. My Grandad came from the tenements in Kearns place in inner city Dublin, he would of known hard times. Poverty and hunger was rife in Dublin’s tenements and they were overcrowded . The War of Independence was followed by the Irish Civil War and the bitter legacy of the Civil war went on to dictate and dominate Irish Politics for decades

One wonders what the people who stood in First Dail and those that fought for Independence would make of our modern day Republic , Over the last 100 years we have had much change socially and economically , we have made major strides in Equality in terms of Marriage Equality etc. but we also had decades where many woman and children were treated as second class citizens in many institutions right up to the 1990s and yet again in 2019 many still live in constant poverty , we step over many people sleeping rough in our city centre , we have families in hotels and hubs , some live in overcrowding conditions etc. As recoveries came and went more and more where left behind as the gap between the haves and the have nots grew. The poverty of today in many ways replicates the poverty of years gone by. Has much really changed? Many had to leave our shore for dreams of a better life in other countries. Many left due to lack of work and poverty. We have much as a nation much to be proud of but we also have much to be ashamed of.

We hear we are living longer and that is a great development but people’s quality of life and living standards for some are below standard, is that the Modern republic we want? Do we want a republic of equals? Where every citizen has enough to survive and has a place to call Home? Do we want a country of real equality where everyone has the same opportunities to education, work and a decent standard of Living? Indeed the 1916 The Proclamation of the Republic (Forógra Na Poblachta) spoke about equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens. Do we want an Ireland where all people with Disability are fully inclusive members of our society? Our record on mental health and suicide has been to say the least shocking for such a small country. Do we want an Ireland where corruption and scandal is a thing of the past and we have openness, accountability and transparency in all aspects of Government and state departments, local, national and European?  I would love to see a national debate on the Ireland we want going forward. There is much to debate and much to think about as we pass the 100 years since the First Dail and the beginning of the War of Independence. We will see a truly modern inclusive republic? Tiocfaidh ár lá

Free Children Workshops

Clondalkin Handcraft and Horticultural Show 2019

Lucan Library @ Tel: 01 6216422 (Lucan Shopping Centre, Newcastle Road | Lucan)

Clondalkin Library @ Tel: 1 4593315 (Monastery Road | Clondalkin)

Tallaght Library @ Tel: 01 462 0073 (County Library |Library Square)

1. Fairtrade art competition closing date 26^th February , (winners will be announced in Aras Chronan on 1^st March) , Categories 1) Art 2) Collage and Junk Art , sections A) Primary , B) Secondary C) Adult – entries dropped to Clondalkin Library before 26^th February Theme Promoting Fairtrade
2. Fairtrade Bake off Categories 1) Baking 2) Gluten free sections A) Primary , B) Secondary C) Adult , Áras Chrónáin @ 630 on 1^st March (Using Fairtrade Produce)
3. Also so far Nico’s Cafe & Restaurant Proudly supporting Clondalkin Fairtrade town Fairtrade tea €2 During Fairtrade Fortnight and Aras Chronan proudly supporting Clondalkin Fairtrade town

Who will be Grand Marshal 2019? Have your say at link below! So far Mary Kennedy , Colm Gavin and Mary Dardis have led the Clondalkin Patricks Day Parade – have your say for this years Grand Marshal by submitting on link below!

http://www.clondalkinstpatricksfestival.ie/grandmarshall/

To register/book a free place please at the event go to http://www.francistimmons.com/growingclondalkin/

’’Growing Clondalkin, Growing Mental Wellness’’

26th February 2019 – A mental health event (a set of talks 15 minutes each) in Knockmitten Community center from 7pm to 9pm

Introduction: Francis Timmons – 3-5mins (and brief introduction of each speaker!)

On the night there will also be stands displaying information

Any further information required please contact Cllr Francis Timmons

Cllr Timmons says ‘’ This Christmas we need to offer hope to the people living in Balgaddy the issues need to be sorted , This Christmas, some residents in Balgaddy are facing into another Christmas of unacceptable living conditions. These include structural issues and overcrowded living conditions, and continuing anti-social behaviour which is making life miserable for many families living there.’’

Cllr Timmons says ‘’At Octobers Clondalkin Area Meeting i proposed as Area Chair and elected members voted to defer the Proposed  Pre-Part 8 Proposal for Social Housing Development at Balgaddy until November area meeting , I proposed an urgent meeting be held to look at the Balgaddy area between elected members and housing to look at the whole Balgaddy area, This meeting has been held and I have received written commitments from SDCC in regards to Balgaddy made at the meeting’’

Cllr Timmons says ‘’While I appreciate we are in a dreadful housing crisis I am adamant that Balgaddy issues must be addressed prior to building more housing These include Housing – (Condition of current housing , overcrowding , Letter Boxes , Buzzers , Housing Allocation ) , Public Realm – (Grass cutting , litter) , Community –(Current Playground and community facilities) , Anti-Social – (Drug dealing , intimidation , Quads) and I have also proposed the setting up of a Balgaddy Working Forum that would include elected members. ‘’

Cllr Timmons says ‘’It would be utterly irresponsible and a slap in the face for residents living in the area if these issues are not dealt with prior to bringing an additional 78 Families into the area , I have never voted against Housing in SDCC but the issues in this case are too much to be ignored , I certainly do not want to delay housing so I am calling on SDCC to address the issues for all residents already living there and for all future residents At November area meeting I proposed a deferral to January pending action on some of the issues raised at the meeting , this was agreed by 3 cllrs for , 2  against and 3 cllrs not present‘’

‘’The Housing will be made up of 4 Person 3 bed x 22 , 5 Person x 3 bed x 27 , Duplex 1 bed (10) and 5 Person x 3bed (10)  x 20 and 2 bed Appartments x 9 which are much needed and welcome’’