Brid Smith TD on The Week in Politics, 26.1.20
BrId tell it like it is on topics ranging from the FF/FG leaders debate, carbon tax, farmers & climate change to public transport
Tag: Public Transport
Bríd Smith TD on transport and disability report in the Dáil
A new report on DISABILITY AND ACCESS TO TRAVEL was discussed yesterday in the Dáil. A good report, with good ideas. Will it be matched by the government’s committment to equality for disabled people? Consider this: they are gung-ho on privatisation of transport, yet there is no requrement for private operators to facilitate disabled travellers! This is outrageous. We must keep the pressure on Shane Ross and the govt parties to do the right thing – they can’t be trusted to do its themselves
BUS CONNECT PLAN – IMPORTANT UPDATE
Yesterday 5 September myself and Cllr Hazel de Nortuin, met with the Deputy CEO of the National Transport Authority in Leinster House. His name is Hugh Creegan.
We raised the issues that communities have presented to us on the problems with the local public transport that will result from the new Bus Connects Plan.
Mr. Creegan admitted that the Plan is not perfect, that they hope to find out through the public consultation process where there are weaknesses etc.
He also acknowledged “Hands up” that they had “messed up in Drimnagh” and that it would have to be reviewed and changed. That they would have to look at connection between Drimnagh and James Hospital, between Drimnagh and schools attended by local children
In Crumlin he agreed that there needs to be a review of the routes so that there is a link between Crumlin, Rathmines and Camden Street.
In Ballyfermot, we strongly emphasised the need for the bus service to be maintained through Lower Ballyfermot, a link with Heuston Station and links with schools in Clondalkin and Tallaght Hospital. And we need to keep the 18 route. He agreed a number of those areas would be looked at again.
In Chapelizod he acknowledged the need for a more frequent service and that this also would be reviewed.
On the overall issues of the attempt to privatise Dublin Bus, we indicated to him a very strong oppostion throughout the communities to any moves to privatise our bus service.Read more »
Brid Smith TD interviewed regarding BUS CONNECT, at Ashleaf 29.9.18
A lively protest today by residents of Drimnagh, Crumlin and Walkinstown at the BUS CONNECT plan for these communites. Brid is interviewed about why they are protesting
Protesting BUS CONNECT plans for hardship in our communities
BUS CONNECT will cause hardship for the most vulnerable in working class communities. That’s why we protested today, marching from Drimnagh to meet with Crumlin and Walkinstown communities, to the Ashleaf shopping centre, where the NTA were displaying their very flawed plans.
“SEARCH AND RESCUE REVIEW – SERIOUS QUESTIONS REGARDING ROLE OF IRISH AVIATION AUTHORITY & CONFLICT OF INTEREST”
PRESS RELEASE – August 24, 2018
The review of Search and Rescue service, commissioned by Transport Minister Shane Ross in the wake of the R116 helicopter crash in April 2017, yet to be published, appears to indicate “serious confusion and conflict of interest” at the heart of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) operations.
The Review did not directly examine the circumstances of the crash that led to the loss of four rescuers off the County Mayo coast, but according to Brid Smith TD, (People Before Profit, Dublin South Central) “the outcome of the review could possibly guide any investigation into the crash as to what may have gone wrong”.
The IAA is mandated as a commercial entity and has a corporate structure and this appears to conflict with its remit for safety regulatory oversight functions.Read more »
Brid Smith TD on transport issues in Dáil Eireann. 22.11.17
Will the tendering process for bus services help move people out of cars and into public transport? And can the Minister for Transport ensure that the tendering process will not become a race to the bottom for workers in their pay and working conditions?
Brid Smith TD speaks on railworkers strike Dáil 8.11.17
RAIL WORKERS NEED A PAY RISE. I made this point to Minister Ross yesterday in the Dáil, on foot of his claim that ‘the country can’t afford it’. The Ministers are getting a pay rise on top of their 6 figure incomes; so are TDs, so are CEOs, all on big money. But we can’t pay workers?
Privatisation of our bus services: a national disgrace!
Privatisation of our bus services! Despite Transport Minister Shane Ross’s waffle – this is what is happening on a gradual basis. 10% of Dublin Bus routes were put out to tender. Dublin Bus came in cheaper and better than ‘Go Ahead’, a British-based international company. Guess who won the tender? The more expensive ‘Go Ahead’ company. I tackled Ross about this in the Dáil. He waffled, so some of his responses are cut in this clip; you can check the Dáil playback for 11 Oct to hear his full commentary-which said little.
Brid Smith TD calls out Varadkar the snob, on public transport issue
VARADKAR THE SNOB – NO UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE. Brid made the point today in the Dáil that BUS EIREANN strikers face hardship, as do people depending on public transport, and hardship is nothing that Varadakar and his kind ever have, or ever will, experience. So he makes flippant comments about subsidies to public services while the government ignores the €100 million in unanticipated VAT returns that could fix this strike today. The contempt of this government for ordinary people becomes more evident by day.