I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that Wi-Fi will be installed on the DART and Commuter Rail fleet in the Dublin in 2012.

In the announcement, the Minister outlined that a project to install Wi-Fi on the DART and Commuter Rail fleet had commenced in 2011 and that this would be completed in 2012. In addition to this the Railway Procurement Agency is also installing Wi-Fi for passengers on the LUAS.

I’m delighted that commuters will be given the ability to access the Internet to check their email, surf the web, and log onto social networking sites. The system will be available for everyone to use once they have a Wi-Fi enabled device such as a laptop or smart phone.

I’m also delighted to report that Dublin Bus hopes to carry out a Wi-Fi pilot on 10 buses during 2012. Follow this the company will examine the technical and financial feasibility of retrofitting Wi-Fi to the wider fleet.

Of course, I have on-going concerns about the inconsistency that exists in terms of ticket prices for DART users in Greystones. Commuters traveling from our town currently pay considerably higher fares than those traveling from other areas on the dart line. I can understand a small additional cost due to the long distance from Greystones to Bray, however, the current fares are totally out of kilter with the rest of the service. This is an issue which I am continuing to pursue in my capacity as a local public representative.

However regardless of this, the announcement today is a welcome improvement for our DART services locally and will certainly improve the commuting experience.

Cllr. James O’Sullivan

As a Fine Gael member of Greystones Town Council, I welcome the announcement that the Minister for Justice has commenced into law the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act which allows for “reasonable force” when defending a home.

For the first time, the safety of homeowners, families and the elderly in their homes is being given precedence over intruders. One of the key messages I hear from constituents is the need to improve homeowner security and I’m glad that this is being delivered.

People need to be able to protect their families in their own homes if intruders force themselves into their properties. The Act means that an intruder or burglar cannot sue the dweller for using reasonable force. Hopefully, this will prove to be an enhanced step which will combat the number of burglaries we’ve seen in Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole and Newcastle in recent times.

I am confident that this new law sends a clear message to burglars and intruders that crime will not be tolerated in our society.

Cllr. James O’Sullivan

I can announce that the ESB will soon be installing an ‘ecar charging point’ in the town following discussions between myself with the company.

As a former employee of the company, I’m delighted that the ESB has selected Greystones as one of its ‘Type 2’ ecar charge locations. This charge point will be located in the town centre and be one of 1500 such charging points that the ESB hope to have available across the country. Public charging points, along with home charge units and a number of fast charge points, will facilitate the use of electric cars across Ireland.

The ESB has established ‘ecars’ to roll out the charging infrastructure and to support the introduction of electric cars in Ireland. The public points are designed to charge cars and the total time it will take will depend on the model and level of charge needed. The customer will be billed using a key fob they received when purchasing their car.

Critical to the take up of ecars is the provision of the infrastructure and the ESB, as the single operator of the electricity distribution system, is responsible for implementing the charging infrastructure across Ireland. It will be a comprehensive network of charge points with open systems and platforms accessible to all supply companies and all types of electric cars.

Also, with Ireland’s advantages in terms of wind and other renewable energy sources, a large proportion of the power used by electric cars will be carbon free in the future. As a member of the Town Council, I’ve raised numerous times the need for increased efficiencies in how we use energy.

In Ireland, we have committed ourselves to 10% of the Irish motoring fleet to be electric by 2020. Being part of a leading electricity utility, ESB ecars has the benefit of and access to the specialist knowledge and expertise within the wider ESB organisation. ESB have committed to using 40% of electricity generated using renewable sources by 2020 and being a carbon neutral organisation by 2035.

I welcome the fact that the first public charge point in Wicklow was installed recently and I look forward to the installation of one in Greystones in the near future.

Cllr. James O’Sullivan

As member of the Tourism Committee in Greystones, I warmly welcome the recently announced tourism figures, which show growth and a boost in employment for the Irish tourism sector.

The figures from the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation show that positive growth patterns are emerging in most markets within the tourism sector. This year has seen the first increase in overseas visitors to Ireland in four years. Visitor trips from mainland Europe, Britain, North America and other long-haul markets are all up, with the figures showing a 10% increase in arrivals from Mainland Europe and a 8% increase in visitors from North America.

I believe that more has to be done by both Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Tourism in order to attract these visitors to our county. The local tourism industry is capable of making an even greater contribution to the Wicklow economy in terms of job creation. Tourism is particularly important for Wicklow and is an industry which can grow in the county. Wicklow has had many successes in recent years, such as the LivCom awards, and the launch of an iPhone application which gives it a strong platform to attract tourists to the county.

It is very important that Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Tourism provide leadership in the area. We need a clear direction and a joined-up approach locally to overcome the highly fragmented nature of the Irish tourism industry.

In recent weeks there were also positive statistics released showing an increase in visitors from Great Britain, our main tourism market, which made up 44% of all visitors here in 2011. The Government’s reduction of the VAT rate to 9% on tourism related services has been highlighted by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation as a significant boost to the sector.

Tourism should be a key priority for Wicklow County Council to ensure that our county is well placed to attract as many tourists as possible throughout 2012.

Cllr. James O’Sullivan

I would like to remind local residents that they can dispose of their Christmas trees for free with the Council

I’m delighted that the Council will again be providing a free Christmas tree recycling service for residents in the area. From feedback I receive every year, this service is valued by householders throughout the town and County. Even though the Council finds itself in a very difficult financial position, I’m pleased this service has been retained. I am always looking for new ways to help local people to recycle. By promoting this service, I hope to let everyone with a Christmas tree know just how easy it is to recycle it.

Between Friday 6th January 2012 and Saturday 21st January 2012, people can leave their Christmas tree beside the bottle bank, in the South Beach Car Park, in front of the Town Council offices on Mill Road. From there the trees will be taken away and disposed of.

I of course welcome the change of drop off location to the South Beach car park this year to ensure that the fire that occurred last year will not be repeated. It is important that as many households as possible make a conscious effort to recycle their tree this year.

Recycle your Christmas Tree in Greystones

What?
Christmas Tree Recycling in Greystones

Where?
South Beach Car Park – in front of the Greystones Town Council offices on Mill Road, beside the bottle banks

When?
Friday, 6th January 2012 all the way to Saturday, 21st January 2012

The Council will take your tree from Christmas 2011 away for free. They will be shredded, composted and used again! All that they ask is no wreaths, plastic trees or decorations.

This is the only public recycling site in the Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole and Newcastle areas.

Cllr. James O’Sullivan