Category Archives: Local

Mortgage Rate Cuts​ Needed as Deadline Looms

Posted on by
Michael McGrath TD with Cllr James Lawless

Michael McGrath TD with Cllr James Lawless

I’ve echoed calls from the Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson Michael McGrath TD ​for​ banks to introduce meaningful cuts to their standard variable mortgage interest rates ahead of the 1st July deadline issued by the Minister for Finance. The exorbitant rates charged on standard variable rate mortgages is something Fianna Fáil has been highlighting for months now. I also had a motion passed about this at the party’s Ard Fheis in April.

​With only a few days left to the 1st July deadline, the response so far from the banks to Minister Noonan’s request for lower rates has been nothing short of pitiful. The likelihood now is that some minimal changes will be announced in the next few days in the hope the cry for lower rates will go away.​

Continue Reading →

Breakdown of Sallins Bypass and M7 Upgrade Costs

Posted on by

M7 Upgrade Sallins BypassI have obtained a breakdown on the cost of the three delayed roads projects at the recent Naas Municipal District meeting. As I’ve stated on countless occasions over the years, the Sallins bypass is vital for Sallins and taking the gridlock out of the village. The M7 widening is equally important to prevent the rat run that was worsening in Kill and Johnstown since Newlands Cross opened and that the Osberstown Interchange at Kerry Foods was vital to hook it all together.

I have been consistently keeping the pressure on for these projects to progress and Minister Donohue stated on Wednesday morning that he acknowledged the importance of these projects for the area and indeed region. I have now obtained figures showing that the estimated cost of Osberstown Interchange is approximately €16 million and of Sallins By Pass is approximately €39 million. The highest project in terms of cost is the M7 widening with a price tag of €55 million. The government need to keep their promise to deliver on these projects. These projects are not just important for the locality, but they have greater importance for the wider Leinster region and the busy Dublin-Cork motorway route.

Applegreen Proposals for Cemex Naas Site Welcome

Posted on by
Applegreen will develop the former Concrete Pipes site at entrance to Naas.

Applegreen will develop the former Concrete Pipes site at entrance to Naas.

The proposals from Applegreen to develop a new facility at the old Cemex/ Concrete Pipes site at Naas are very welcome, to include a garage forecourt, central corporate office block and a research and training facility. I have been seeking progress on this site for some time and I’ve repeatedly raised the matter at Council over the past twelve months.

At recent meetings of the Naas Area Committee, I tabled motions seeking action on the site to both clean up its appearance and attract new development as I felt it was becoming an eye sore for the approach to Naas and was not the right image to present to visitors to the town. This is now very positive to see this project coming on-stream and moving forward.

Continue Reading →

Government Support for Naas Hospital Absent

Posted on by
At Naas General with staff protesting the dire shortage of staffing resources a few months ago.

At Naas General with staff protesting the dire shortage of staffing resources a few months ago.

The lack of commitment toward health care in Kildare by the current government has to be criticised. Since it was revealed at the start of June that Portlaoise Hospital is to have its A&E services downgraded, this will place further pressures on Naas Hospital emergency department which is already under strain.

Minister Varadkar stated this week there would be a ‘modest increase’ in operating budgets to allow ‘existing levels of service to be maintained’. Given the expected increase in demand to Naas A&E which will arise from the downgrading of Portlaoise Hospital it is clear there is no cohesive plan in place toward health care in Kildare and current services being maintained will not be adequate to cope with rising numbers.

Continue Reading →