POLICIES
Local Issues
Michael is involved in a wide range of local issues, supporting communities in, Ballyfermot, Bluebell, Chapelizod, Cherry Orchard, Crumlin, Drimnagh, Harold’s Cross, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Kimmage, The Liberties, Perrystown, Rialto, Terenure, The Tenters and Walkinstown. Michael’s priority is always to assist the local residents in fighting either to improve or to maintain the quality of their environment.
Michael is involved in several local issues throughout the constituency of Dublin South Central, assisting communities with various campaigns, working towards better youth and educational facilities, assisting sports clubs, and, assisting voluntary groups. As a former Vice-Chairman of the National Youth Council of Ireland, Michael is particularly interested in youth work, and assists youth groups wherever possible. If there is any local issue of concern to you in your community, please contact Michael directly.
CRUMLIN
Michael is involved in the campaign to keep the Windmill Road swimming pool open. Furthermore, Michael has been a long time advocate for a proper sports and community centre to be built at this site. Michael opposed the building of houses at Pearse Park in Crumlin, and has fought vigorously to stop Dublin City Council from taking over other green spaces for housing.
DRIMNAGH
Michael has been campaigning for a long time for a new library for Drimnagh, and believes that Dublin City Council has failed to make this a priority. Michael assisted in getting new changing rooms built for Brickfield Park, and, works with many youth and community groups throughout Drimnagh.
THE LIBERTIES
Michael is the only member of Dáil Éireann to maintain a full-time constituency office in this area (102A Cork Street), and has championed many local causes throughout the Inner City and The Liberties. Some issues include, building a new swimming pool for The Liberties, getting Dublin City Council to replace the very ugly bridge over the LUAS in Rialto, and, campaigning against the demolition of an old church on the grounds of St. James’s Hospital. Michael is also a strong supporter of Inchicore On Track, which is seeking to alter the works site for the proposed new underground DART station running from Pearse Street Station right through to Inchicore.
BALLYFERMOT
Michael played a leading role in obtaining funding for the €26 million Sports & Community Centre at Le Fanu Park in Ballyfermot and, played a leading role in obtaining the funding for St. Ultan’s Primary School in Cherry Orchard. Michael also welcomed the extensive CCTV security camera scheme operated out of Ballyfermot Garda Station.
TERENURE
Michael has highlighting various transport and traffic issues in the Terenure area, and assisted many residents groups with parking issues. He has supported residents in their campaign to improve the amenities at Neagh Road in Terenure, and also got the Department of Transport to undertake a feasibility study for a new LUAS line running from Terenure into the City Centre.
PERRYSTOWN
Michael has been a strong supporter of many community groups in the Perrystown area, and, has campaigned to improve and upgrade the amenities at Beechfield Park off Beechfield Road. Michael is concerned about the amount of traffic rat-running through this area, and is available to constituents to assist with complaints in this regard.
National Issues
Michael is committed to an egalitarian society, and has consistently stressed the importance of education in our society. In particular, Michael believes that further resources should be directed towards primary education, as it is at this level where a lot of young people need extra help with their education to ensure they get the best start in life.
European Issues
Michael is a member both of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs, and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Scrutiny. A firm supporter of the European Union, Michael believes in a European Union of independent Nation States, working together in areas of mutual co-operation. Under the new Lisbon Treaty, there is extra power given to National Parliaments to examine and scrutinise all new Legislation coming from Europe. Michael is at the forefront of setting up new structures within Dáil Éireann, to make sure that Dáil Éireann properly examines all new European Laws, to ensure that they are in the best interest of the Irish people.
Michael has also travelled to the USA to campaign for the undocumented Irish in America, and has led a campaign to examine the human rights situation in Palestine. In accordance with Government policy, Michael believes that the Israeli people should be able to live in peace and security, but also believes in a Palestinian State, and is strongly critical of the siege of Gaza, the illegal Wall, and the illegal settlements in the West Bank and in east Jerusalem.
Genetically Modified Food
In Dáil Éireann, Michael has been one of the strongest campaigners against genetically modified food, and has raised this on several occasions at various Committee meetings. He is appalled at the recent legalisation by the European Union of a new genetically modified form of potato crop.
Michael believes that the way forward for agriculture within Europe, is for natural, organic, food products, not for mass-produced food.
