06/12/2019
Other News In Brief
Weather Warning Sparks Road Safety Alert
The Road Safety Authority is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads over the weekend as Met Eireann issues orange and yellow weather warnings for strong winds.
An orange weather warning for very strong winds is in place in Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Kerry and Limerick from 9am Sunday 08 December to 6am Monday 09 December.
Southwesterly winds later veering northwesterly will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts from 110 km/h to 130 km/h. Due to a combination of high seas and storm surge there is a possibility of coastal flooding.
A yellow weather warning is also in place for Strong winds for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford from 3pm Sunday until 6am Monday. Southwest winds later veering northwesterly will reach mean speeds of 50 to 60 km/h with gusts of up to 100 km/h.
Road users are reminded that orange warnings mean infrequent and dangerous weather conditions that may pose a threat to life and property. Furthermore, all people and property in the affected areas may be significantly impacted.
Motorists in counties likely to be impacted by the warning should therefore check local weather and traffic reports, heed any advice given and consider delaying or cancelling a planned trip if the conditions are very bad.
Winning Entries For Dublin Fire Safety Calendar Announced
Twelve lucky Dublin students have been awarded prizes for their winning pictures that feature in the 2020 Dublin Fire Brigade Fire Safety Calendar.
Dublin Fire Brigade, as part of Fire Safety Week, invited all primary school children in the Dublin region to participate in an art competition with the aim of increasing fire safety awareness among young people. The twelve best 'fire safety' pictures are included in the 2020 calendar, copies of which go to all Dublin Primary Schools.
The winners were announced at a ceremony in the Mansion House by Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul McAuliffe and Chief Fire Officer Dennis Kelly.
Speaking about the initiative, Mayor McAuliffe said: "This Christmas and throughout the coming year your beautiful, thought provoking artwork in the 2020 calendar will help to remind everybody that we all need to take a few simple measures to make our homes safe from fire."
Chief Fire Officer Dennis Keeley added: "I firmly believe that by raising the awareness of fire safety among these children we are spreading the message, and this will help to save lives in their homes and among their wider community."
Dublin Fire Brigade is reminding the public to stay safe at Christmas and consider the following:
• It's important to have your chimney cleaned regularly, not just at Christmas for Santa Claus. A clean chimney greatly reduces that chance of a chimney fire occurring.
• Working smoke alarms save lives. Batteries must never be removed from smoke alarms to be used in toys or other electronic items.
• Always unplug your Christmas lights before you go to bed.
• Keep matches and lighters out of Children's reach.
• Have an escape plan for you, your family and visitors.
Govt To Make Decision On Rent Freeze Bill
A proposal to introduce a three-year rent freeze on existing and new tenancies is set to go before government next week.
Sinn Féin's Rent Freeze (Fair Rent) Bill 2019 will be moved during Private Members time on Tuesday, 10 December.
As well as introducing a rent freeze, the Bill would also call on the Minister for Finance to introduce a refundable tax credit for renters, equivalent to one month's rent.
All TDs in attendance at Tuesday's meeting have been urged to support the legislation.
Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin said: "Rents in this State are too high and are continuing to rise. It is time to freeze rents and put money back into the pockets of families and workers.
"The Rent Pressure Zones are not working. Even if they were people can no longer afford any level of rent increase.
"This Government has given tax breaks to developers, landlords and first-time buyers. It is time to give renters a break.
"Sinn Féin has been tabling proposals to deal with spiralling rents since 2016. Unfortunately, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have blocked them."
He added: "Renters deserve better. All TDs have a chance next Tuesday to give renters a break.
"This Sinn Féin Bill, if passed, would ensure that renters would be protected from further rent hikes and that they would get a month rent back into their pockets."
(JG/CM)
The Road Safety Authority is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads over the weekend as Met Eireann issues orange and yellow weather warnings for strong winds.
An orange weather warning for very strong winds is in place in Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Kerry and Limerick from 9am Sunday 08 December to 6am Monday 09 December.
Southwesterly winds later veering northwesterly will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts from 110 km/h to 130 km/h. Due to a combination of high seas and storm surge there is a possibility of coastal flooding.
A yellow weather warning is also in place for Strong winds for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford from 3pm Sunday until 6am Monday. Southwest winds later veering northwesterly will reach mean speeds of 50 to 60 km/h with gusts of up to 100 km/h.
Road users are reminded that orange warnings mean infrequent and dangerous weather conditions that may pose a threat to life and property. Furthermore, all people and property in the affected areas may be significantly impacted.
Motorists in counties likely to be impacted by the warning should therefore check local weather and traffic reports, heed any advice given and consider delaying or cancelling a planned trip if the conditions are very bad.
Winning Entries For Dublin Fire Safety Calendar Announced
Twelve lucky Dublin students have been awarded prizes for their winning pictures that feature in the 2020 Dublin Fire Brigade Fire Safety Calendar.
Dublin Fire Brigade, as part of Fire Safety Week, invited all primary school children in the Dublin region to participate in an art competition with the aim of increasing fire safety awareness among young people. The twelve best 'fire safety' pictures are included in the 2020 calendar, copies of which go to all Dublin Primary Schools.
The winners were announced at a ceremony in the Mansion House by Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul McAuliffe and Chief Fire Officer Dennis Kelly.
Speaking about the initiative, Mayor McAuliffe said: "This Christmas and throughout the coming year your beautiful, thought provoking artwork in the 2020 calendar will help to remind everybody that we all need to take a few simple measures to make our homes safe from fire."
Chief Fire Officer Dennis Keeley added: "I firmly believe that by raising the awareness of fire safety among these children we are spreading the message, and this will help to save lives in their homes and among their wider community."
Dublin Fire Brigade is reminding the public to stay safe at Christmas and consider the following:
• It's important to have your chimney cleaned regularly, not just at Christmas for Santa Claus. A clean chimney greatly reduces that chance of a chimney fire occurring.
• Working smoke alarms save lives. Batteries must never be removed from smoke alarms to be used in toys or other electronic items.
• Always unplug your Christmas lights before you go to bed.
• Keep matches and lighters out of Children's reach.
• Have an escape plan for you, your family and visitors.
Govt To Make Decision On Rent Freeze Bill
A proposal to introduce a three-year rent freeze on existing and new tenancies is set to go before government next week.
Sinn Féin's Rent Freeze (Fair Rent) Bill 2019 will be moved during Private Members time on Tuesday, 10 December.
As well as introducing a rent freeze, the Bill would also call on the Minister for Finance to introduce a refundable tax credit for renters, equivalent to one month's rent.
All TDs in attendance at Tuesday's meeting have been urged to support the legislation.
Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin said: "Rents in this State are too high and are continuing to rise. It is time to freeze rents and put money back into the pockets of families and workers.
"The Rent Pressure Zones are not working. Even if they were people can no longer afford any level of rent increase.
"This Government has given tax breaks to developers, landlords and first-time buyers. It is time to give renters a break.
"Sinn Féin has been tabling proposals to deal with spiralling rents since 2016. Unfortunately, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have blocked them."
He added: "Renters deserve better. All TDs have a chance next Tuesday to give renters a break.
"This Sinn Féin Bill, if passed, would ensure that renters would be protected from further rent hikes and that they would get a month rent back into their pockets."
(JG/CM)
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29 June 2016
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Cabinet Agrees To Increase Rent Limits
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03 December 2015
Govt Passes Rent Reform Bill
Ireland's Residential Tenancies Bill has passed all stages of the Dáil and Seanad, it has been announced. The Bill is now expected to be signed into law by the president as soon as possible. The Bill will bring a number of major reforms to the private rental sector in Ireland, providing rent certainty and safeguards for both tenants and landlords.
Govt Passes Rent Reform Bill
Ireland's Residential Tenancies Bill has passed all stages of the Dáil and Seanad, it has been announced. The Bill is now expected to be signed into law by the president as soon as possible. The Bill will bring a number of major reforms to the private rental sector in Ireland, providing rent certainty and safeguards for both tenants and landlords.
18 November 2015
Govt's Housing Record A 'Spectacular Failure' - SF
The government's record on housing has been described as a "spectacular failure", dependent on the private market to provide a solution that "will never come". Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis, made the comments during a Private Members debate in the Dáil.
Govt's Housing Record A 'Spectacular Failure' - SF
The government's record on housing has been described as a "spectacular failure", dependent on the private market to provide a solution that "will never come". Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis, made the comments during a Private Members debate in the Dáil.
01 November 2017
Dublin Fire Brigade Responds To 1,100 Calls On Halloween Night
Dublin Fire Brigade has revealed it responded to 1,100 emergency calls during Halloween night. On what is normally the service's busiest night of the year, there were also reports of attacks on fire crews while Dublin Bus was forced to withdraw its service in part of the city.
Dublin Fire Brigade Responds To 1,100 Calls On Halloween Night
Dublin Fire Brigade has revealed it responded to 1,100 emergency calls during Halloween night. On what is normally the service's busiest night of the year, there were also reports of attacks on fire crews while Dublin Bus was forced to withdraw its service in part of the city.
19 October 2015
Halloween Fire Safety Campaign Launched
Dublin Fire Brigade's Halloween Safety Campaign, 'Be Safe Been Seen' has been launched at Dublin Fire HQ by tArdmhéara Críona Ní Dhálaigh. The Fire Brigade will work with Dublin Bus, An Garda Siochana and the DSPCA in an effort to inform young people about the dangers of illegal bonfires and fireworks.
Halloween Fire Safety Campaign Launched
Dublin Fire Brigade's Halloween Safety Campaign, 'Be Safe Been Seen' has been launched at Dublin Fire HQ by tArdmhéara Críona Ní Dhálaigh. The Fire Brigade will work with Dublin Bus, An Garda Siochana and the DSPCA in an effort to inform young people about the dangers of illegal bonfires and fireworks.