Objections to the proposed construction of a drive-thru McDonald’s Restaurant here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, have today hit the headlines on The Irish Times, The Journal.ie and on R.T.E. .
All press articles highlight that local residents, including a local physician, Dr Paul Ryan, are objecting to the construction of a McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurant near a crèche, school facilities and within 100 yards of Dr Ryan’s own surgery. “Having a fast food outlet is of no help at all in our efforts to promote healthier lifestyles.” Dr Ryan stated.
In his objection to the proposal Mr Chris Delahunt also echoed health concerns, as did others who made submissions to Tipperary Co. Council.
This planning application by the McDonald’s franchise, on a site situated close to the German international discount retailer Lidl, on Slievenamon Road, (N62), in the centre of a residential area has been described by many as being unprecedented and a bizarre planning move. If approved this could see a 24/7 fast-food restaurant placed slap bang in the heart of a major residential area, where residents already struggle daily to deal with serious growing traffic congestion due to the failure to provide a Ring Road.
While to date, over 20 objections have been lodged against this planning proposal; a number of the objections by resident locals are rightly based on health grounds,particularly as we are in the midst of an obesity crisis in this country, where one in five children aged under five, is obese according to a study referenced on the HSE (Health Service Executive) website on October 10th 2024.
Mr David Crowley in his submission rightly has stated that this planning application in effect is a takeaway and therefore contravenes the Thurles and Environs development plan 2024-2030 and should therefore be rejected out of hand. He believes that the proposed ring road around Thurles should be in situ, before any such development of this nature is entertained.
Mr Crowley also rightly stated that the Thurles and Environments development plan 2024 refers to the resisting of the Proliferation of Take-Aways and Betting Shops and further confirms that the traffic at the Clowngour and Lidl junction was already chronic with tail backs regularly beyond Turtulla Cross (N62), during school times. This proposed development would make this traffic congestion even worse again, with access for local residents adversely affected.
Irish Government Quote: “Ireland’s towns and villages are an important resource to protect and nurture. We want to ensure that they remain resilient locations with vibrant inclusive communities and a strong cultural and social fabric that deliver a good quality of life for future generations. We (the government) will support them through a strong commitment to ‘place-making’ so that any town centre environment is one in which people want to live, do business, visit and is ultimately successful”.
Resident Mr Shane Curran, in his submission, stated that Thurles is already well serviced by takeaway/fast food outlets. A fast-food drive-through restaurant in this residential area as suggested will generate noise, odour and litter, while causing a disturbance to nearby residents, particularly late at night. This type of development will attract late night usage increasing the potential for anti-social behaviour after the closure of local pubs and nightclubs.
A submission by Mr Frank Tuohy also reiterated the afore mentioned stated fears.
Mr Michael Corbett (through Ms Mary Lynch B.A .Dip. T.P.. MIPI) stated: (1) That the development is almost exclusively a car focused development, attracting customers away from the town centre, to an edge of town location development. (2) Same would provide no interaction or co-operation with existing retail businesses or other developments within the Liberty Square town centre area. (3) Indeed, it’s 24/7 operation would draw night-time users away from the town centre, thus distracting from such businesses in the centre that already amply support night time entertainment; sit down food facilities and other fast food/take-away services. (4) This planning application would lead to further dereliction and vacancy of existing town center properties.
Mr Corbett also, through his agent, stated rightly that he considers this application to be defective with respect to the public notices and believes that adequate notice has not been given to the public with regard to the 24/7 nature of the proposed operation.
A spokeswoman for McDonald’s said, “As a business, McDonald’s prides itself on being a good neighbour in the communities in which it operates, and we look forward to continuing to work with the council and local residents to mitigate any concerns raised.”
Plan to address barriers to entry to legal professions and early career progression published.
Plan identifies steps needed to widen and increase access to education, training, and career opportunities in the legal professions.
Relevant professional bodies and stakeholders will sit on the Implementation Plan Working Group.
LSRA will provide progress reports every 6 months.
A plan has been published to address the barriers facing many newly qualified and early career solicitors and barristers.
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) were asked to submit a plan to implement the recommendations of its Breaking Down Barriers Report.
This report, which was published in September, examined how a range of issues such as financial means, geography and professional connections can act as obstacles to progression for those studying or starting out in the legal professions.
The plan contains 32 recommendations, and the implementation process will be led by the CEO of the LSRA, who will also chair the Barriers Implementation Working Group.
Relevant professional bodies will be invited to nominate representatives to sit on the Working Group, which will hold quarterly progress update meetings with the legal professional bodies, the Law Society of Ireland, the Honourable Society of King’s Inns and the Bar of Ireland.
Dr Brian Doherty, Chief Executive Officer of the Legal Service Regulatory Authority said: “The LSRA very much looks forward to working with all relevant stakeholders with the common goal of building a more inclusive and diverse legal services sector. The recommendations made in the Breaking Down Barriers report represent an important reform initiative which will build upon measures introduced in recent years by key stakeholders, including the professional bodies for solicitors and barristers, the Law Society of Ireland, the Bar of Ireland and the Honorable Society of King’s Inns.”
The LSRA Breaking Down Barriers Implementation Plan can be accessed HERE.
Candidates today are being urged to come forward to fill the roles of Chairperson and the six Ordinary Members positions, at the newly established Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann [the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI)].
The GRAI is a new statutory body that will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling in Ireland. Once established, it will focus on public safety and well-being – covering gambling online and in-person – and will have the power to regulate advertising, gambling websites and other applications (apps).
Historic legislation setting out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of the GRAI passed both Houses of the Oireachtas earlier this month and has already been signed into law by President M.D.Higgins.
Closing date for applications is 3:00pm on Friday November 15th, 2024. Applications for the roles can be found here at Public Jobs.ie.
According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, some 50 nursing and midwifery posts are currently being left unfilled at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) Industrial Relations Officer, Mr Liam Conway speaking today, ahead of a cross-trade union protest at Tipperary University Hospital, stated that the situation was currently completely unacceptable, and solely brought about, due to the limited caps the HSE have placed on recruitment, leaving staffing unsafe at both the hospitals emergency department and at ward level.
Mr Conway was adamant that the suppression of key front-line nursing and midwifery posts at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, were leading to an increased risk to both patients and staff alike.
Mr Conway added that nursing posts in stroke care; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); neurology and colorectal specialisms are being left vacant; critical areas are understaffed and unsafe, while standards outlined in the Government’s own Safe Staffing Framework was leading to poorer patient outcomes, longer hospital stays and a heightened risk of mortality.
“The front-line healthcare workers and the people of County Tipperary deserve better”, Mr Conway concluded.
3,600 new Irish citizens will attend at Citizenship Ceremonies in the Convention Centre, Dublin.
3,600 new Irish citizens will be granted Irish citizenship in three ceremonies all taking place today, Monday September 16th, at the Convention Centre in Dublin. The Ceremonies will see applicants from 143 countries around the world, who are residing across 32 counties on the island of Ireland, being conferred as Irish citizens.
This follows 14 such ceremonies held so far this year, with a total of 11,417 people attending and being conferred with Irish Citizenship. The Presiding Officer at the ceremonies is retired Justice Mr Paddy McMahon, who will administer the “Declaration of Fidelity” to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the Irish State.
The Citizenship Division have introduced significant changes to speed up the applications process for applicants, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting.
Over the last 2 years the Citizenship Division has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023. Already in 2024 nearly 16,000 decisions have been made in the first half of this year.
Last year, the Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants, with 15 held over the course of the year. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022.
Including today, September 16th, the total number of Ceremonies held so far this year is 17, surpassing the number of ceremonies hosted in 2023. Further Ceremonies are being planned for later in the year.
New Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the Irish State and to respect its democratic values. These new Irish citizens are contributing to a diverse and inclusive workforce, bringing a range of skills and talents that enhance the overall capabilities of the labour market and the Irish economy.
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