Daly again raises the issue of Southern Distributor Road at Kildare County Council

Speaking at the April meeting of Kildare County Council Cllr Richard Daly again raised the issue of the urgent need for construction of the Southern Distributor Road around Athy.

“I was disappointed to see the massive reduction in the funding for the overall roads programme for Kildare for 2010 but most particularly that there was no reference to the Southern Distributor Road which is an identified priority of the County Council. While some reduction in funding can be accounted for by the fact that some major roads projects have just been completed the fact that the Southern Distributor route is still not a project which has received funding is a huge disappointment to all of the local representatives and the community at large.

The Southern Distributor Road has been identified as Kildare’s number one priority and I used to opportunity to remind council officials of that fact. Athy needs this piece of infrastructure to develop and there is unanimous support for the project. It is important now that the link road has been completed that the Southern route goes to construction stage.

I will continue to use every opportunity to highlight the need for this road”

Time for Kildare to start talking Rubbish – Daly

Around the county the amount of litter being dumped illegally is a blight on our community and our business potential according to Athy’s FG Cllr Richard Daly.

From the N7 and N9 to the Grand Canal Kildare’s litter situation is becoming chronic as the summer and the tourist season begins. Black plastic bags float on our canals and lie on the banks of our rivers. Our forests and our bogs have become the final resting place for fridges and mattresses and soiled nappies are being shredded by nightime predators in the wild.

Yes, there are many of us who have expressed the opinion that waivers for refuse collection should be nationally available for social welfare and low income families but this in no way excuses the level of refuse dumping from whatever socio economic group is responsible.

Our Civic Amenity centres freely accept electrical goods so there is no excuse for the dumping of the cookers, fridges, TVs, etc wantonly in the environment. Recyclable material can also be freely disposed of at these locations. An information campaign on times of opening and cost of disposal could indeed be of benefit.

Hundreds of thousands of euro are being wasted by local authorities trying to combat the fly tipping on a daily basis and this is taxpayers money which could be used more beneficially at a time of shortage. This littering is costing us money and it is also acting as a deterrent to those who might be attracted to visit our potentially beautiful county as tourists or even locate here.

Very very stiff penalties need to be imposed on the perpetrators of this illegal dumping. These are not just unhygienic and mean people but they are also damaging our economic progress. At the very time when we need to work together to stimulate economic recovery we are being let down by those who are turning our county into a rubbish tip

New Athy Slip Road escalates campaign for Southern Road – Daly

The recent opening of the slip road connecting Athy with the M9 makes the construction of the Southern Distributor Road more vital for the future commercial and social development of Athy according to Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly

“Last week the opening of the slip road has shown road users the value of having a modern road network. For commuters on the Dublin Waterford route access to Athy is only a matter of less than 10 minutes. Sadly, while traffic can arrive faster into the town the lack of the Distributor Road means that traffic for further destinations have to make their way through a congested town.

Athy is now far more accessible to both Dublin and Waterford and the improved infrastructure will make Athy a more attractive location for companies to locate

Athy has a united approach to the importance and priority of getting the Southern Distributor Road and every political organisation, lobby group and business body has identified it as vital to the development of business and alleviating traffic congestion.

Once more I would ask our TDs and government supporters to exert every pressure to ensure that our financial climate is not used as an excuse for neglecting this project” said Cllr Daly.

Time to Move On – Daly

Despite the appalling and discouraging state of national finances and the injustice of the taxpayer picking up the tap for the mismanagement and excesses of others, it is time to be positive about our future both nationally and locally according to Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly.

“To say that we have come to an economic abyss is an understatement and we are justifiably entitled to feel disgust and anger at those who misled us into this. Our future demands that we do not lose out entrepreneurial spirit and that we actively look to the future with hope and enthusiasm.

Yes, we need to change the government but that may not be an option in the short term. In the meantime we need to generate optimism about our future. Much of our economic growth depends on engendering confidence in our economy and never was that confidence more required.

When we realise that we cannot rely on central government to change our economic fortune we must begin to be masters of our own destiny and advance economic activity in our own communities. We need to exploit the assets which we have in our possession and stimulate our own growth.

Everyone can play a part in making Kildare a more attractive place to do business.

In Athy we have already seen traders combine to attract custom and right through the county all can be involved in making Kildare a more beautiful place, combating litter, showing a welcoming and helpful aspect to visitors and having an attitude of positivity. Simple things can reap huge benefits.

In the most challenging of economic times it is our philosophy of self help and self support which can bring us faster out of recession and it is now more than ever thst political leadership is needed both nationally and locally.

Whether political parties have labels of “republican” or “United Ireland” there is a sense of nationalism and patriotism required by all our politicians at present to offer real leadership and a philosophy of “we can” to our people.” Said Cllr Daly

“The day of reckoning at the polls will come but in the meantime let’s move forward and unite in the daunting challenge ahead.” He concluded.