Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has commended the Dun Laoghaire Community for their engagement and passion in combating the issue of obesity. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking following a successful public meeting on obesity in Dun Laoghaire this morning (Monday).
“I was extremely pleased to host a very successful public meeting on “Obesity; how we can create a healthier Ireland” with guest speakers Prof. Donal O’Shea from Loughlinstown Obesity Clinic, Aoife Hearne from Operation Transformation and Barry Dempsey from the Irish Heart Foundation.
“The very high attendance of parents, schools, students, academics, healthcare professionals and local community workers is testament to the great concern the people of the Dun Laoghaire have when it comes to the issue of obesity.
“Obesity contributes to and escalates many chronic medical problems, including cancer. This is a problem that we must combat immediately. This was a feeling shared by all those in attendance who showed a real commitment to addressing obesity by learning more and playing their part.
“At the core of the obesity problem is our perception of normality. Our idea of what is normal has shifted and being overweight is now more common than unusual. We simply can’t let obesity become the new norm.
“As a nation, we are getting fatter to the point of a crisis. The number of premature deaths annually which are attributable to obesity currently stands at approximately 2,000. It is a shocking admission, but we stand to be the first generation who will bury our children and it is completely preventable.
“A healthy Ireland requires a whole-of-society approach to improving health and well-being. We need to protect, educate and offer healthy alternatives to our children. Obesity is a problem that will continue to grow, endangering every family, if it is ignored.
“I would like to thank everyone who attended the meeting. There were some very insightful contributions and it was clear that this is a problem that the people of Dun Laoghaire are taking very seriously.”
Last Updated: March 3, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Public Meeting on the new Charities’ Regulatory Authority
I would like to invite you to a Public Meeting on the new Charities’ Regulatory Authority on Thursday, March 12th at 7pm in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney.
I would greatly appreciate if you could circulate the invite to colleagues and other interested groups. It promises to be an interesting and informative evening with keynote speaker Mr. Ivan Cooper, Director of Advocacy, The Wheel. The Wheel is Ireland’s support and representative umbrella network for community, voluntary and charitable organisations. Mr. Cooper will give a presentation on how to register and what impact the new Regulator will have on the charity sector.
It will start at 7pm sharp. There will be a Q+A session after the keynote speaker’s presentation. Please RSVP to mary.mitchelloconnor@oir.ie by Tuesday, March 10th. Please note that there is no cover charge for this conference.
If you have any questions about the event, or if I can be of assistance on any other local/national matter, please contact my Blackrock Constituency Office on 01 210 9161.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD
Last Updated: March 3, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Draft County Development Plan 2016-2022 Consultation
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council would like residents, businesses, community groups and organisations and children (or groups or associations representing the interests of children) to give their views on the Draft County Development Plan 2016 – 2022.
The Draft Plan sets out Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s policies for the continuing sustainable development of the County for the coming years and has been prepared following a period of intensive consultation, which took the form of:
Why The Council Are Consulting
Your input in developing the Plan is important to ensure that the Final Plan both reflects, and responds to, public concerns and aspirations, as well as addressing the National and Regional strategies and guidelines required of us by legislation.
Make a submission on this Draft CDP 2016-2022
The Draft Plan, Environmental Report, Appropriate Assessment Screening and maps will be on display at the following locations from Monday 2nd March to Monday 11th May 2015 inclusive, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays:
Copies of the Draft Plan [Written Statement, including Appendices, Environmental Report, Appropriate Assessment Screening and Maps] will be available to purchase,Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays, at:-
The documents may also be inspected at all branches of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Libraries.
The Draft Plan, Environmental Report, Appropriate Assessment Screening and mapswill be available to view or download from the Council’s website, www.dlrcoco.ie from 2nd March, 2015.
Public Information Days:
There will be several public information days when staff from the Council’s Planning & Enterprise Department will be available to answer questions and to assist in making a submission. The information days will take place on the dates and at the locations listed below:
Venue
Date
Time
Marine Road,
Dún Laoghaire
Tuesday 21st April, 2015
5.00pm – 8.00pm
10.00am – 1.00pm
5.00pm – 8.00pm
Main Street, Dundrum
Thursday 30th April, 2015
5.00pm – 8.00pm
10.00am – 1.00pm
5.00pm – 8.00pm
Main Street
Blackrock,
Co Dublin
Thursday 23rd April 2015
2.00pm – 8.00pm
Lambs Cross,
Sandyford,
Dublin 18
Tuesday 28th April 2015
5.00pm – 8.00pm
10.00am – 1.00pm
5.00pm – 8.00pm
7 Stonebridge Grove,
Off Stonebridge Road,
Shankill,
Co Dublin
Tuesday 14th April 2015
5.00pm – 8.00pm
10.00am – 1.00pm
5.00pm – 8.00pm
Glenalbyn House
Stillorgan
Co Dublin
Thursday 16th April 2015
5.00pm – 8.00pm
10.00am – 1.00pm
5.00pm – 8.00pm
Submissions/observations may be made on or before Monday 11th May, 2015 as follows:-
NOTE: All submissions should include your name and a contact address, a map (where appropriate) and, where relevant, details of any organisation, community group or company etc., which you represent.
Please make your submission by one medium only.
Data Protection
D́un Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act. In order to assist Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in complying with the Data Protection Act please include your name and contact details on a separate page to the content of your submission/observation.
The Planning process is an open and public one. In that context, all submission documents are made available for public inspection. This information may also be placed on the Council’s website.
PLEASE NOTE:
YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO MAKE YOUR SUBMISSION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 5.00 p.m. MONDAY 11TH MAY 2015.
LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Last Updated: March 3, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Dun Laoghaire comes together to combat obesity
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has commended the Dun Laoghaire Community for their engagement and passion in combating the issue of obesity. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking following a successful public meeting on obesity in Dun Laoghaire this morning (Monday).
“I was extremely pleased to host a very successful public meeting on “Obesity; how we can create a healthier Ireland” with guest speakers Prof. Donal O’Shea from Loughlinstown Obesity Clinic, Aoife Hearne from Operation Transformation and Barry Dempsey from the Irish Heart Foundation.
“The very high attendance of parents, schools, students, academics, healthcare professionals and local community workers is testament to the great concern the people of the Dun Laoghaire have when it comes to the issue of obesity.
“Obesity contributes to and escalates many chronic medical problems, including cancer. This is a problem that we must combat immediately. This was a feeling shared by all those in attendance who showed a real commitment to addressing obesity by learning more and playing their part.
“At the core of the obesity problem is our perception of normality. Our idea of what is normal has shifted and being overweight is now more common than unusual. We simply can’t let obesity become the new norm.
“As a nation, we are getting fatter to the point of a crisis. The number of premature deaths annually which are attributable to obesity currently stands at approximately 2,000. It is a shocking admission, but we stand to be the first generation who will bury our children and it is completely preventable.
“A healthy Ireland requires a whole-of-society approach to improving health and well-being. We need to protect, educate and offer healthy alternatives to our children. Obesity is a problem that will continue to grow, endangering every family, if it is ignored.
“I would like to thank everyone who attended the meeting. There were some very insightful contributions and it was clear that this is a problem that the people of Dun Laoghaire are taking very seriously.”
Posted: February 25, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Prevention as treatment can tackle healthcare costs
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, told a conference in Brussels yesterday evening that the right prevention policies play an important role in improving European health and tackling the spiralling costs of health treatment. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking at a European Alliance for Personalised Medicine conference in Brussels with European Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly and European Commissioner, Phil Hogan.
“The case for prevention as treatment – as well as treatment as prevention – is now here, if it wasn’t already.
“Personalised medicine is all about giving the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, but there’s a reason why the phrase “prevention is better than cure” is so well known.
“Personalised medicine utilises research, data and up-to-the-minute technology to provide better diagnostics and follow up for citizens than is currently the case. It uses genetic information to discern whether a particular drug or regime will work for a particular patient and assists clinicians in deciding which treatment will be the most effective. It can also have a huge impact in a preventative sense.
“Earlier diagnostics and earlier treatment has many benefits, among them fiscal, because while cost is a major issue – and there are key questions about the cost-effectiveness of new and even existing treatments – better diagnostics will ease the burden on health-care systems in two ways.
“It will allow a more preventative approach in that gene technology will flag up the likelihood of a particular individual developing a particular disease and provide a good idea of how it will develop, thereby encouraging early intervention.
“Efficacious treatment means patients are much less likely to require expensive hospital beds and are more able to continue working and contributing to Europe’s economy.
“There is much we can do at national and European level to improve the prevention mechanisms we use to ensure that children are encouraged to be healthy and to grow up as healthy adults.
“Informed, evidence-based policy making has an important role to play in public health and I commend the European Alliance for Personalised Medicine for its important work.”
Posted: February 23, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
“Our Dàil Day”
I recently received this lovely poem from a constituent after their tour of Dàil Èireann. I am delighted to share it with you today.
Last Updated: February 18, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Make Your Voice Heard on the Public Health Alcohol Bill
The Bill sets out to provide for health labelling of alcohol products; minimum unit pricing; regulation of marketing and advertising of alcohol, and enforcement powers for Environmental Health Officers.Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has referred the draft General Scheme to the Joint Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. As part of the process, the Committee is inviting input from organisations and individuals on the proposals.
Written submissions should be sent electronically by email (MS Word or equivalent) and should be received not later than 3pm on March 5th 2015 at the following email address only: publichealthbill@oireachtas.ie
Read more and make a submission.
Posted: February 17, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Government decision secures future of small schools
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire Mary Mitchell O’Connor and Chairperson of Fine Gael’s Internal Committee on Education said today’s announcement by the Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan TD, that will protect small schools and secure their futures.
“The Government has agreed the implementation of new policies to better support the sustainability of small schools. The approach involves improved changes to the staffing schedule for some small schools and will improve their staffing levels.
“The Government has also agreed the publication of the Value for Money and policy review of small schools, which was commissioned by the previous Fianna Fáil-led Government. It’s recommendations have not been accepted as they would have threatened the future of small schools.
“Small schools are a vital part of the local communities in which they are situated. I am delighted that the Government is moving to protect them. They small schools play an essential social function, particularly in isolated rural communities. Securing their future is an integral part of protecting rural Ireland.”
Last Updated: February 17, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Obesity Public Meeting, March 2nd, 2015
I would like to invite you to a Public Meeting on Obesity on March 2nd at 11am in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney.
I would greatly appreciate if you could circulate the invite to interested groups.
It promises to be an interesting and informative morning with a panel of expert speakers:
Professor Donal O’Shea – Head of Obesity Unit, St. Columcille’s Hospital
Barry Dempsey- Irish Heart Foundation
Aoife Hearne – Operation Transformation
It will start at 11am sharp and finish at 1pm. There will be a Q+A session after the guest speakers’ presentations.
Please RSVP to mary.mitchelloconnor@oir.ie by Tuesday, February 24th. Please note that there is no cover charge for this conference.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Yours sincerely,
Mary
Last Updated: February 16, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Applications for 2015 National Lottery Health Grants open tomorrow
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has reminded community groups and organisations that application forms for the 2015 National Lottery Health grants will go live on the Department of Health’s website from tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17th.
“These grants are aimed at community groups and voluntary organisations providing health, support or information services to groups such as people with an intellectual or physical disability. It is also open to organisations which have specific health-related interests.
“In 2014, the Department of Health approved funding for organisations in the Dun Laoghaire constituency
“Local beneficiaries included COPD Support Ireland which received €7,000 towards the cost of funding a public awareness campaign; Bodywhys benefited from €7,500 towards the cost of funding the development of a 4 week modular-based training programme and Move4Parkinsons Foundation Limited which received €8,000 towards the cost of providing a series of activities that are designed for people with Parkinsons.
“The 2015 Department of Health’s National Lottery Grants will be awarded on two dates this year, one in June and the other in November.
“The closing date for applications is 12 noon on the 1st of May 2015.”
For further information, please visit www.health.gov.ie
Posted: February 5, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Sad day for Dun Laoghaire as Stena sailings end
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said in the Dáil today (Wednesday) that the Stena Line announcement that they will not be renewing their Dun Laoghaire Harbour contract which expires on April 14th next is an end of an era.
“This marks an end of over 20 years of Stena Line sailings to Dun Laoghaire. Passenger sailings from the harbour span over almost two centuries. Up until recent days, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and Stena Line had engaged in active discussions on the delivery of a seasonal service.
“Stena Line have now advised they are unable to secure a suitable vessel and have decided not to resume operations on this route, and that they will consolidate their business interests in Dublin Port.
“Dun Laoghaire harbour has been left “adrift” today with no plan for its future, indeed its future survival. In response we need an immediate taskforce to secure the future of the harbour.
“The future for the harbour could be bright. A planning application for a new cruise berth for ‘next generation’ cruise ships has only recently been submitted to An Bórd Pleanála. This growing cruise business will have significant economic spin-off value for Dun Laoghaire and the wider hinterland and indeed Ireland. With the loss of Stena Line, it is crucial that the new cruise berth is given strong consideration.
“A detailed proposal has also been submitted to the Government for the International Diaspora Centre. This world-class visitor attraction can now be accommodated in the empty 80,000 sq.ft. Ferry Terminal building. I have heard other venues being mentioned but I am asking the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport give serious consideration to Dun Laoghaire where Irish people in the past left in droves to seek work on foreign shores.
“Now let their grandsons and granddaughters return to our shores and be given a Céad Míle Fáilte in a World Class Diaspora Centre.”
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