Politicians please note
Due to pressure of space, each representative is limited to 150 words in their report (including name and contact details).
Please keep reports relevant to Lucan
Please note: Wednesday 10pm is the weekly deadline.
Metro Dart Should Use Standard Rail Gauge
Rail gauge is the width between the two rails that a train runs on. If a different rail gauge is used on any section of the track, the train can't continue and a change must take place. This happened in many places throughout the world in the early stages of rail. This became a major costly problem for rail use. Fortunately, common sense prevailed and standard rail gauge is used everywhere to suit each country's needs to avoid unnecessary changing as this adds to time especially for work.
Dublin has a great rail network, but it just needs to be linked up to make it fully effective. This requires just one rail line overground from Blanchardstown to Donabate via Airport and Swords. Now all rail lines link each other like roads. All areas of Ireland including Lucan with rail will have direct access to Dublin Airport and direct for work around Dublin, if this new line is allowed to use standard rail gauge. If the wrong rail gauge is used It will undermine the whole rail network in Dublin. It will leave three (3) rail lines fully operational with trains almost empty and won't utilise two more double rail tracks that are presently idle. By using different rail gauge leads to users having to change unnecessary. If going from Lucan to Airport or for work in that area, it will require an extra change at Glasnevin, if from the countryside at least two changes. Each change can add up to 15 minutes extra in travel time on average. It makes no planning sense in not linking up the short distance of less than two miles on open lands from Swords to Belfast line at Donabate. Now users in that big catchment area must go into centre to go back out the Airport or for work in that area. Using the wrong rail gauge further undermines rail extension to where it is needed. Most politicians and people are aware of the problems of using a different rail gauge. Have a look at this to ensure another major mistake is not made.
Advice from outsiders has let us down in the past.
Next week why using the same rail gauge can reduce the cost of building a rail link to the Airport to zero.
Tom Newton 086 312 7364 @acratu.com
Cllr. Helen Farrell, Independent
Working with Paul Gogarty, TD, Independent
Email: hfarrell@cllrs.sdublincoco.ie
Tel: 087-2794936
Facebook: http://bit.ly/4jHwrjR
LUCAN REZONING THREAT: ACT NOW!
SDCC has opened its Public Consultation on major residential rezonings proposed for Lucan & County. This is the only opportunity for the public to respond to plans that would add significant new residential land across areas, including St. Edmundsbury, Adamstown West, Aderrig, Finnstown Castle lands, etc. Building homes is urgently needed, but Lucan's infrastructure and services are at capacity before additional rezoning of land for housing. Our green spaces need strong protection.
To make this easier, I've created a webpage that outlines:
What's being proposed for Lucan
How you can respond
A template submission that you can personalise
The consultation closes on 13 March 2026; your early action is essential. I'm available to meet with local groups and Residents' Associations to discuss impacts and support you in preparing submissions.
Minister Emer Higgins TD, Fine Gael
Constituency Office: 01 401 3416
Insta: @emerhigginstd
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmerHigginsTD
Emer.higgins@oireachtas.ie
Planning Proposals from SDCC: The Minister for Housing has asked every Council to zone more land to help meet national housing targets of 300,000 new homes by 2030. South Dublin County Council has been tasked with identifying land for 8,000 new homes, alongside longer-term landbanks. Following a review of 46 expressions of interest across 39 sites, up to 23 locations have been recommended for potential rezoning, subject to viability, infrastructure and environmental considerations.
Proposed zoning changes are being considered across parts of the Lucan area, including St Edmundsbury, Finnstown Castle, Tubber Lane North, Stonewall Backweston and Foxhunter.
The Councils proposals are open for public consultation until Friday 13 March 2026. A Public Information Session takes place in Lucan Library, Wednesday 4 March, 2pm–8pm. View maps and make submissions before 13 March 2026 at: https://consult.sdublincoco.ie/
Paul Gogarty TD, Independent
Working with Cllr Helen Farrell
Not just at election time
Dail office: 01-6184078
Whatsapp: 089-2364871
Website: www.paulgogarty.com
Lucan Rezoning Threats: There are multiple threats to Lucan in terms of new rezonings proposed by SDCC on foot of a Government request. These make no sense in the absence of guarantees on facilities and infrastructure, and some, like St Edmundsbury, are an abomination. Some Councillors and 'Local Area Reps' are being very vague about their voting intentions on several key sites in Adamstown and elsewhere. The groundswell is massively against this, so they should get off the fence and show early leadership. People need to make submissions before March 13th. Pressurising Councillors comes later. Helen has created an excellent information page on her website. If you can't scan the QR code in her notes, search 'rezoning 26' on my website and the article will link to her page.
Cllr. Caroline Brady, Peace Commissioner, Fine Gael
085 2551602
CBrady@SDublinCoCo.ie
Proposed Zoning Changes: Public consultation on the proposed variation to the County Development Plan is now available and public submissions to be made by 13th March 2026 . A public information session will take place in Lucan Library on Wednesday, 4th March, 14:00-20:00. Information available from
Consult.SDublinCoCo.ie or contact me for hard copies. Your submitted observations are important to ensure your voice is heard and represented in The Chief Executives Report and Recommendations presented to councillors who vote on the proposal in mid-May.
I am available to meet residents to discuss this proposal.
The Local Community Safety Partnership will meet this Friday 20th February. The job of this group is to create and implement local safety plans. Please continue to contact me with issues you want raised.
AGP Flooding: Drain debris cleared and the area added to the regular Jetter Programme.
Derren O Bradaigh, Lucan Sinn Fein Area Rep
Mobile: 087-2136345
Email: dobradaighsf@gmail.com
Twitter: @DerrenBrady1
Land Rezoning - Public Consultation Now Open: So, what's happening? Government have set new annual housing growth targets up to 2040 and all planning authorities now have a 'mandatory' requirement to revise zoning for housing within their County Development Plans.
South Dublin County Council have identified 22 potential sites for residential rezoning.
7 of these are in the Lucan catchment:
1) Adamstown SDZ West. 2) Finnstown Castle. 3) Tubber Lane North. 4) St Edmundsbury. 5) Stonewall. 6) Foxhunter. 7) Adamstown South & West (Outer).
How do I find out more details? You can view the proposal, documents, maps and reports by visiting the council's public consultation portal.
You can also make a submission (free of charge) here too - up until 13th March;
https://consult.sdublincoco.ie/en/consultation/proposed-variation-no-2-south-dublin-county-development-plan-2022-2028
2 x Public Information Sessions:
Lucan Library - Wed 4 Mar - 2pm - 8pm
County Hall, D.24 - 25th Mar - 2pm - 8pm
Shane Moynihan, TD, Fianna Fail, Dublin Mid-West
Email: shane.moynihan@oireachtas.ie
Phone: 01-6184128
Find me on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok
Postal Services: I have been in touch with the CEO of An Post about the deterioration in postal services that has been reported to me in recent years. I have been informed that additional resources have been in place to get the service back to where it needs to be. If your postal service has not improved, please get in touch with me. I will maintain contact with An Post on this matter.
County Development Plan: South Dublin County Council has published its proposed variations to the County Development Plan. These are currently open for public consultation which runs until 13 March. Please take a look and make a submission on the proposals. They can be viewed at consult.sdublincoco.ie.
Clinic: My next advice clinic in Lucan will take place on Monday 23 February at 1pm.
Cllr. Liona O Toole, Independent Peace Commissioner
0872795274.
lotoole@cllrs.sdublincoco.ie
www.lotoole.com
Additional Zoning in Lucan Have Your Say Before 13 March: There is still time to make submissions on Proposed Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan but the deadline is fast approaching. As of Wednesday evening, only 38 submissions have been received, most from Lucan residents.
Proposals include additional residential zoning at Tubber Lane North (500), Adamstown SDZ West (1,000), Finnstown Castle (1,000), St. Edmundsbury (1,398), Liffey Valley (1,500), Stonewall (Modular homes)(132), Foxhunter (37) and long-term lands at Adamstown South & West with potential for 5,000–8,000 units.
If residents have concerns or comments they must submit them through the official consultation process before Friday 13 March. After that it will be too late to influence this stage.
Thank you to those who have already engaged with me. I am happy to assist anyone who needs guidance.
Cllr Joanna Tuffy, Labour
Lucan Electoral Area. Phone 0876339077
Email jtuffy@cllrs.sdublincoco.ie
All social media links at linktr.ee/joannatuffy
Rezoning Proposals for Lucan: Due to demands from various stakeholders and ultimately Government, Councils were told to come up with proposed variations of their County Development Plans for housing. This is happening in between the normal County Development Plan process. I don't agree with this approach - I think we have enough land zoned in South Dublin for building on. But the Chief Executive and Planners have, in accordance with what they are being required to do under the National guidance, made proposals to rezone various sites. Under these proposals Lucan very much bears the brunt but what is particularly worrying is that the lands zoned High Amenity at St. Edmundsbury are being proposed for rezoning. I urge residents to inform themselves of the proposals and make submissions as they see fit. As regards St. Edmundsbury, I would encourage very focused submissions that concentrate on the impact on the environment of the proposed change.
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