Transport
Friday, April 27th, 2007I would like to thank Martha Schuhart for her feedback (April 24th in response to ‘Welcome to my Blog’). I’m sure members of the Platform 11 group will be interested in the progress being made on Transport 21 and I attach an update that was presented by the various transport agencies at a Regional Seminar held in Dublin on 17th April 2007. You will see that the people of Kildare are already benefiting from the huge investment being made in transport infrastructure and there is a lot more in the planning pipeline.
Aine Brady
Transport 21 update
In further response to Martha Schuhart (April 27th), I would like to point out that because of my focus on improving the transport infrastructure for the people of North Kildare, one of my campaign team attended the Regional Seminar on Transport 21 held in Dublin on 17th April and all attendees were subsequently provided with a copy of the presentations made by the various transport agencies. You are therefore quite incorrect in your presumption that the presentation was supplied via the FF Party! I would be interested to know whether any members of the Platform 11 group attended the Seminar. It provided a comprehensive but succinct update on the status of Transport 21 and the various elements of the plan including the Interconnector. My mission is to get elected to Dail Eireann so that I can influence how this plan will be implemented for the benefit of the people of Kildare North. I welcome constructive input from Platform 11 and other interested groups.
Aine Brady
I would like to deal with the latest comments from Martha Schuhart (April 30th and May 2nd). It is not a step too far for me to acknowledge that my statement regarding the Clonsilla-Docklands rail link contained a certain amount of ‘poetic license’ as regards the short-term upside for Kildare North. However, I make no apologies for the fact that the Clonsilla-Docklands development is further evidence that Transport 21 is delivering real benefits to local communities and that North Kildare also stands to gain as the Plan, including the pivotal Interconnector, is implemented on a phased basis under the management of professional executives in the various transport agencies and guidance from the Department of Transport. I am generally aware of the views of Platform 11 as far as rail transport is concerned and I have no immediate plans to meet them. Right now, I am busy engaging with hundreds of people every week on the doorsteps who are interested in all aspects of transport and not just rail. For example, many people in Kildare North are very happy to see the progress being made on the free-flow interchanges and barrier-free tolling on the M50.
One last point. My Blog Moderator informs me that you posted an inaccurate statement at www.irishelection.com regarding my alleged use of material supplied by FF head office relating to Transport 21. This is very disappointing behaviour on your part given that I had clarified in an earlier posting above that the material in question was issued by the various transport agencies at a Regional Seminar. May I suggest that you put your talents to more positive use by joining a political party that gets things done - I would be delighted if you would join my election team and help me achieve the improvements in rail and other transport infrastructure that are badly needed in Kildare North and elsewhere.
Aine Brady
I must apologise to Vincent McCann for the delay in responding to his comments of April 28th. I am aware of the dispute in the Educate Together school in Celbridge that is denying autistic children access to early intervention and education. This is a highly regrettable situation and I have contacted Minister Mary Hanafin in the strongest possible terms with a view to resolving the matter. The new school in Celbridge will start out on a temporary site but I would hope that this would include an integrated special needs facility in the medium term. I do appreciate the difficulties faced by your daughter and I will do what I can to improve the situation in Celbridge.
Aine Brady