Latest Updates – Page 3 – Michael Pidgeon

Where next for the Phoenix Park?

For a space over 350 years old, the last few months have seen a lot of changes in the Phoenix Park.

Eamon Ryan’s getting my number 1 vote

I’m voting for Eamon for Green leader. I was proud to nominate him too. I’m doing it mainly because I think he’s a rare politician in Ireland who combines a wider vision with minute policy depth and detail.

What needs to change in the Bailey Gibson proposal

Below is an observation I am submitting on the proposals for the Bailey Gibson site, from property developer Hines. As the site is so large, it is going directly to An Bord Pleanála, bypassing the Council. You can see the full plans here.

Note: Since initially publishing this post, I have updated the document with some suggestions from residents and people who got in touch via social media, in particular on offering some units for sale and for pointing me to improved bike parking national standards (point 6 below).

Why I’m supporting the Programme for Government

I started off against all this.

I’m generally keen to see the Greens in government, but was concerned that the kinds of policy change we wanted to see would be near-impossible in a government twinned with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Dublin City’s proposed mobility plan “vital for return to work” – Green councillors

Dublin City’s Green Party councillors have broadly welcomed the city council’s ambitious Interim Mobility Intervention Programme.

The plan includes significant changes to the city centre and for the urban villages around the city, primarily focused on widening footpaths, improving bus priority, and expanding protected cycling infrastructure.

Stop motor traffic through Phoenix Park, say local Greens

Press release: Motor traffic going through the Phoenix Park should be stopped, according to local Green Party representatives today (Thursday).

The elected representatives are calling on the OPW to prevent private motor traffic from using the park as a thoroughfare, instead only allowing access to park facilities, institutions, and existing parking spaces, which would accommodate those with disabilities or specific accessibility needs.

Green Party to back interim plan for cycling on Liffey Quays

Press release: The ten Green Party members of Dublin City Council will vote in favour of new interim proposals to improve cycling infrastructure on the Liffey Quays.

The vote will take place on Monday evening in City Hall. The Green Party is the second-largest grouping on the council.

Why the Kilmainham hotel plan is a bad one

Planning observation: Developers have applied for planning permission for a new hotel in Kearn’s Place, just off Old Kilmainham.

The site should be developed, but this proposal seems like a mad idea.

Update: The planning permission was rejected by Dublin City Council, which the developers appealed. An Bord Pleanála upheld the refusal in late November 2020. You can read their decision here.

Here’s the planning observation I submitted against the development:

How we should legalise e-scooters – but not for rent!

Submission: The government recently launched a public consultation on how they should regulate electric scooters – which are currently illegal. The Greens have been calling for legalisation and regulation for some time.

Here’s what I sent in to the consultation. (“PPTs” is short for “Personal Powered Transport”, which is seemingly the preferred transport policy term for the broad scooter category.)