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.
Politics: From the words Poli (Meaning ‘Many’) and Tics (Meaning ‘Blood Sucking Parasites’).
The Thurles Roofless Bicycle Shed.
A newly erected bicycle shed to house eighteen bikes at Leinster House, latter the seat of the Oireachtas, the parliament of Ireland has cost more than €335,000. The above expenditure could have purchased a 4 bed, 3 bath, 138 m² detached house, or 3 semi-detached council houses each with 3 Bedrooms, and 1 Bath, here in urban Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Initially hailed by Transport Minister Mr Eamon Ryan TD, as an excellent example of public sector climate action, this shelter, required archaeological advice, to make sure it fitted into the parliamentary complex, at a cost to the taxpayer of €2,952.
We are advised that over 600 civil service staff support the functioning of the Oireachtas in Leinster House. Add this number to the 160 TDs attending for 3 days each working week, [Note: 124 men and 36 women (latter only 22.5%)]; one hopes that this “18 Space Bicycle Shed” can be easily expanded.
Then again many may be working from home or using “The Dart” (“The Dort”, for the benefit of those commuting from Sandymount and Foxrock)“, or (God forbid) these rainy days, using other public transport. One thing we do know, the vast majority of these 760 workers and their bosses are not arriving on bicycles, but then again we never get to see what is parked around the back of that formidable structure and are the great unwashed permitted to mix with nobility?
We further learn, courtesy of the Office of Public Works, that a high-quality structure was needed because of the building’s sensitive location.
Note: Off the record, and keep tight lipped on this, Thurles does not have even one Bus Shelter, and when Tipperary Co. Council learn of the above costs of an 18 Space Bicycle Shed, local commuters had better continue to carry their parasols and hope for non-windy conditions.
According to numerous press outlets, other breakdown costs; provided by the Office of Public Works, shows that €322,282 was spent on the main construction and finished installation; while €10,816 was paid for quantity surveying services and contract administration services.
However, asked for a copy of the business case for this project, the OPW confirmed that none had been required. On a more positive note: unlike roofless Thurles Bicycle stalls on Liberty Square, Thurles, shown above, at least the 18 cyclists in Leinster House won’t have to ride home on wet saddles or come out to find someone has reversed into their “High Nelly” .
Looks like Tipperary Co. Council are not the only wasters of taxpayer funding.
Some 20 submissions in total were forwarded to Tipperary Co. Council in reference to current plans submitted on the Phase 2 Liberty Square Public Realm Scheme. All submissions can be read in full by our readers, simply by accessing and scrolling down the page located at the LINK SHOWN HERE.
Proposed Liberty Square West Layout (Phase 2).
The closing time and date for all submissions closed at 4:30pm today, Friday August 30th, 2024.
No local resident consumers/shoppers made submissions or raised serious concerns about the planned designs for either Liberty Square or the several adjacent streets i.e. Rossa Street, Parnell Street, Nicholas Street (Cúchulainn Road) and Friar Street. Same have learned, from passed interactions with regards to such submissions sent to Tipperary Co. Council, that their opinions went unacknowledged and were rejected outright without discussion.
Parnell Street (formerly New Street)at the junction (right) withCúchulainn Road (formerly Nicholas Street).
In the main; Tipperary Co. Council now stand accused of failing to conduct detailed trials in respect of such planned changes to the town centre traffic flow and also of failing to fully consider the real impact of such proposed changes, on future ability of local businesses to continue to trade profitably.
Thurles.Info will be highlighting further failings, with regards Thurles planning issues, in the coming days.
Resident, local Fianna Fáil, TD Mr Jackie Cahill, has stated publicly, confirming his support for the cleaning of the River Suir in Thurles, however he has also admitted, on Tipp Mid-West Radio, that he is unable “to excessively influence policy in this area”. He also claims that people interested in fishing in the river, struggle to even find access to its banks. But of course there is no difficulty in gaining access to the banks once you have trampled down the three foot high stinging nettles and briars, using a supermarket trolley in an effort to locate water.
We now trust that Mr Cahill will have a chat with his sister, councillor Mrs Kay Cahill-Skehan, to brief her, before the next Thurles Municipal District Council Meeting.
River Suir pictured six years apart. Pics: G. Willoughby
We welcome also the input from re-elected Independent Councillor Mr Jim Ryan, who is committed to, at the next council meeting, quote “calling on all the relevant bodies to come together to formulate a future plan, for the River Suir in Thurles. Currently it is completely overgrown with vegetation. There is no flow or depth and there is always the continuous problem of the green algae forming on the surface. It has become an eyesore and an embarrassment to the town”. SEE HERE:Thurles. Info first raised this issue on November 7th 2013 so this “calling” now comes 11 years to late.
Perhaps all public representatives can confirm: (A)Where has our Grundfus submersible water pump gone, latter which fed our three river fountains? (B) Why has the two weirs, which controlled water levels close to Barry’s Bridge been allowed to deteriorate ? (C)Why do we constantly continue to highlight new projects, while failing to maintain or support that which already exists?
Meanwhile, elected councillors, while you a talking to those who receive large salaries and who must take direct responsible for this total neglect, please see the short video hereunder.
I feel I should point out that Thurles is trying to attract tourists; albeit with little or no success. Perhaps our two resident TD’s; our recently re-elected councillors, together with Thurles Municipal District officials, should take a short walk from the River Walk entrance on the N62, (close to Lidl supermarket), and continue their journey, to the Thurles Town park, situated close to “The Source” building.
Note: the messages of hate scrawled on the Rainbow Seat, placed to celebrate Pride and the LGBTQ+ community and also painted on the flood barriers. See the filth both in and on the surface of the river water. See also the nettles and briars converging unto the walkway, in the name of biodiversity, which now confines young children to their pushchairs and perambulator devices, when choosing to use this river side walkway. God knows we have all the biodiversity we need growing out of our drains, currently within the town’s streetscapes.
Ask why hate messages have not been removed by salaried individuals. Same messages do not represent the feelings of the vast majority of Thurles residents and proper administration must now be immediately implemented.
Time now to take back our town and yes this will put a few noses out of joint, but what the hell! Elected representatives have my full permission to reveal red faces and to feel shame and embarrassed. So what are we getting for our Property Tax, Rates, Parking Charges etc?
Proposals are invited for community and youth service organisations to establish new Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) in North Tipperary. Once fully operational, the new project will ensure full YDP coverage across the State, fulfilling commitments in both the Programme for Government and Youth Justice Strategy.
Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour, to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes.
Same are seen as a key support to An Garda Síochána, in the operation of the statutory Garda Youth Diversion Programme, under the Children Act 2001.
There are currently 99 YDPs in operation and the intention under the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 is to have the service available throughout the State.
The establishment of these new projects is understood to mark a significant milestone in the achievement of this objective.
Expressions of interest must be from registered charities and demonstrate a strong track record of delivering programmes of support for challenging young people and sound corporate governance and financial management capabilities.
Expressions of interest are welcome from individual organisations or from a consortium of eligible organisations, (with one specified lead for governance and financial management purposes).
These must include proposed supports or dedicated Youth Justice Workers, targeting family support interventions for typically hard-to-reach young people and early interventions for 8-11 year-olds, who may be at increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity.
Details of the operational requirements for YDPs are available HERE
Expressions of interest from community-based organisations in establishing new YDPs in any of these areas, should be submitted to yjs@justice.ie, by Monday30th September 2024. Shortlisting may apply.
Additional information for approved applicants on the youth crime profile in the specific areas and operational boundaries for the new projects will then be made available at the start of October 2024. Completed final proposals should then be sent to yjs@justice.ie, by Thursday, 31st October 2024.
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