What have Dublin City Councillors ever done for us?

[Robespierre]

I am trying for the life of me to understand what the hell Counsellors actually do. Apart from putting speedbumps down to break your suspension and providing vast green spaces for dogs cr*p in and bonfires be burnt in I am mystified as to how they do anything to justify their stipend, the allowances and the frills of office that go with it. I don’t see how we wouldn’t be better served with a directly elected city manager and deputy city manager.

I have tried getting in touch with all the counsellors from democratic, non-corrupt parties for weeks in addition to General Election candidates for Dublin Central and have not heard so much as a sausage back. Is it safe to assume that public rep’s that are allegedly “working hard on constituency matters” are as bone lazy as they appear?

[Jippo]

... democratic, non-corrupt parties...

Unfortunately the Progressive Democrats don't have a Perty organisation in Dublin Central.

[Johnny]

In fairness to councillors of all parties, a lot of whatever limited power they once had, has been placed in the hands of unelected county/city managers.

[KingKane]

I am trying for the life of me to understand what the hell Counsellors actually do. Apart from putting speedbumps down to break your suspension and providing vast green spaces for dogs cr*p in and bonfires be burnt in I am mystified as to how they do anything to justify their stipend, the allowances and the frills of office that go with it. I don’t see how we wouldn’t be better served with a directly elected city manager and deputy city manager.

I have tried getting in touch with all the counsellors from democratic, non-corrupt parties for weeks in addition to General Election candidates for Dublin Central and have not heard so much as a sausage back. Is it safe to assume that public rep’s that are allegedly “working hard on constituency matters” are as bone lazy as they appear?

It depends on how you tried to contact them, did you ring or email or send them a letter?

[cllr]

Robespierre,

As a Councillor for very many years I can tell you that hard working Councillors can and do achieve an awful lot. I know that I am proud of my role in ensuring that unlike the rest of the country developers MUST provide 20% social.affordable housing in Docklands and the Community Development Fund that was introduced there.

I am proud of my role in supporting many community initiatives, local housing, the Flats Improvement Scheme in my area, development of playgrounds in our parks, many traffic/safety improvements and more, much much more.

Of course the reality is that we need real reform of Local Government and I am equally proud to have continuous pushed the boat out on this one and look forward to Labour in Government delivering on it.

Anyone who contacts me receives a reply.

[krayZpaving]

Who did you contact? How did you contact them? When did you try to contact them?

If you sent them a letter on Saturday morning by post, then you need to wait another few days for the response. If you emailed them two weeks ago, then maybe there's validity to your claim...

I'd be shocked if Bertie Ahern's office didn't get back to you (with at least a standard "we will get to your query soon" letter), and the same for Tony Gregory, Mary Lou, Joe Costello, etc, if you weren't abusive in your contact with them.

[Rapisco]

Robespierre,

As a Councillor for very many years I can tell you that hard working Councillors can and do achieve an awful lot. I know that I am proud of my role in ensuring that unlike the rest of the country developers MUST provide 20% social.affordable housing in Docklands and the Community Development Fund that was introduced there.

I am proud of my role in supporting many community initiatives, local housing, the Flats Improvement Scheme in my area, development of playgrounds in our parks, many traffic/safety improvements and more, much much more.

Of course the reality is that we need real reform of Local Government and I am equally proud to have continuous pushed the boat out on this one and look forward to Labour in Government delivering on it.

Anyone who contacts me receives a reply.

Here goes dermot again.

Self praise ....................

[cllr]

No Rapisco,

It is not self praise. It is someone committed to Local Government prepared to answer a question tabled in relation to the Council I have the honour of serving on. It is my opinion that many of the people I have served with across the Parties on the Council over the years have equally good records.

[tonys]

No Rapisco,

It is not self praise. It is someone committed to Local Government prepared to answer a question tabled in relation to the Council I have the honour of serving on. It is my opinion that many of the people I have served with across the Parties on the Council over the years have equally good records.

You shouldn’t have to defend yourself against people who sit on the sidelines and carp. They wouldn’t recognise a real achievement if it jumped up and bit them on the arse. Their game is carping, not doing.

[Robespierre]

Denizens of p.ie my mini-tirade was of course intended to be somewhat polemical. I contacted Cyprian Brady over a month ago without hearing a whisper back. With his hunger for newly transferred votes – Sinn Fein will have no problem getting Fitzpatricks seat. I have also contacted the FG, Lab & FF Council rep’s by email for the area. Two weeks would not be up in this regard. I won’t bore people with the issue but it relates to post match and concert GAA clean-ups. I welcome the games but don’t like feeling like I am living in the middle of Ballyogan dump for days afterwards. People urinating through the letter box are even less fun.

I have managed local election campaigns and general election campaigns but have never had to solicit the services of a public rep before. Little did I know they were such pimpernels. Cllr I know your record very well having helped on a campaign against you in Pembroke two years ago and you doubtless have delivered for your ward. I grew up in Dalkey where people vote regardless of whether a rep does anything or not.

I can see the logic behind the low turnout in the inner city if this is the response one gets. Times have changed and most people can’t go to a clinic between 10h58 and 11h03 am on every 5th Tuesday behind the pub across the road from your man. Therefore I was expecting a more e-friendly response. I will also keep my eyes peeled in the event that the general area gets proper clean ups as we build up towards 10 consecutive weekends of Croke Park / Concert action.

Given that as of next year we will have games every single month of the year it is an issue of genuine concern for most of us in the area – especially Dub games and soccer matches.