Important Update on N11 Flooding – Harris

Posted April 16th, 2013

Deputy Harris secures update in Dail on actions being taken to resolve flooding problems on the N11.

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris has today (Tuesday) secured a Dail debate on the on-going flooding issues on the N11/M11.

After the recent spate of flooding Deputy Harris undertook to raise this matter on the floor of the Dail to finally seek answers for Wicklow commuters as to why this major roadway has been flooded twice already this year.

Speaking in the Dail this evening Deputy Harris said, ‘We are only in the fourth month of 2013 and already Wicklow commuters have had to endure traffic chaos and road closures on the N11/M11. They and I have had enough and are extremely frustrated by the lack of answers and indeed the buck passing form one agency and indeed local authority to another.

‘This is a major road leading to our capital city. It is an essential route on an almost daily basis for thousands upon thousands of people commuting to work and going about their business. Equally in terms of encouraging investment into county Wicklow, we cannot afford to have these flooding issues remain without solution.

‘Legitimate questions are now being asked by commuters and residents in terms of whether there is an engineering problem with this road or is there simply a lack of proper maintenance and to be quite frank whether this is a problem with Wicklow County Council or Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council or the National Roads Authority or all three. We need leadership and coordination. We need heads banged together and a workable solution.

‘This evening in the Dail the Minister for Transport has informed me that a CCTV survey of the motorway drainage is being undertaken and a series of site surveys are underway to assess the condition of the motorway drainage and to investigate the performance of the local road and land drainage network to the west of the M11.

‘I welcome this news that action is being taken and will be vigorously pursuing this.’

ENDS

Harris tables special Dáil debate on N11/M11 flooding debacle

Posted April 5th, 2013

Major aerial road shut for second time this year due to flooding – Wicklow TD to seek answers and accountability in Dáil debate

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris has written to the Ceann Comhairle tabling a special Topical Debate in the Dáil arising from the closure of the N11/M11 twice so far in 2013 due to flooding.

Speaking on this issue, Deputy Harris said, “It is utterly unacceptable that this major road route is closed in parts and that commuters from right throughout Wicklow are left in chaotic traffic for hours and hours on end when their is heavy rain. Surely in the 21st Century we can engineer and maintain roads to withstand heavy rain. This is not a small road, it is one of our country’s most major roadways and to see it unable to cope with rain and to be flooded twice in three months is ridiculous.”

“Since the latest flooding incident resulting in the closure of the road around the Bray exits, there has been significant “buck passing” going on. The NRA have implied that local authorities failed to maintain it adequately. Others have commented on the fact that there may be an engineering problem in and around the part of the road in question. Wicklow residents dont want buck-passing. They want answers and they want action,” stated Deputy Harris.

“I have now tabled a Dáil debate on the issue and have written to the Ceann Comhairle seeking time to consider the matter on the floor of the Dáil so that the Minister for Transport can bring together all the relevant agencies – the NRA and the local authorities – and secure answers, updates and assurances on this important issue. I will continue to pursue this until progress is made,” concluded Deputy Harris.

ENDS

Wicklow Young Scientists prove our smart economy is right on track – Harris

Posted January 10th, 2013

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Simon Harris, has today (Thursday) said that Ireland’s young students are sending out a very powerful message to potential investors about the amazing talent we have in this country. Deputy Harris was speaking after a visit to the Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition in the RDS.

“The Young Scientists Exhibition is always a really inspiring and encouraging event for so many schools up and down county Wicklow, where they have the opportunity to display the talent and ingenuity of their students. I saw so many clever, creative, and innovative projects across the range of sciences on display.

“In recent years, the Young Scientists Exhibition has acted as a showcase for potential investors in this country to be become aware of the raw talent that we have coming up through our schools in the areas of science and technology. I met students from Arklow Community College, Avondale Community College, Cólaiste Bhríde, Cólaiste Rithín, Dominican College Wicklow, Gael Scoil Cólaiste Na Mara, Scoil Chonglais, St Gerard’s and St. Thomas Community College all of whom had different projects and ideas. This highlights the degree of innovative thinking and imagination that exists in young people from Wicklow.

“The so-called ‘smart economy’, and, can often sound like a vague concept or even a buzz word, but at this exhibition we get to see the smart economy personified.

“Three hundred and sixty two schools are taking part in this year’s exhibition. As the Irish economy continues its journey to recovery, any of the 45,000 people that visit this exhibition this week will be left in no doubt as to the scope of talented youngsters we have in Wicklow schools. Our smart economy is right on track.”

Great news for Blessington with latest Fibre Broadband roll out announcement – Harris.

Posted January 4th, 2013

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris, expressed delight today with the announcement of plan to roll-out of fibre broadband in Blessington.

‘Over the past year we have seen the announcement of various broadband plans and a level of increased access for people across County Wicklow.

‘I am delighted that Blessington has been included in Phase V of Eircom’s fibre broadband plans. Eircom has stated that this is expected to be completed by December 2014. Phase IV saw the inclusion of Arklow, Greystones, Newtownmountkennedy and Wicklow all of which are due for completion in December 2013.

‘These are great improvements in the infrastructure across County Wicklow and will provide a real benefit to people.

‘I hope that we will see continued improvement in our broadband infrastructure and that this improved connectivity will be of significant benefit to people and businesses across Wicklow.’

Sports Capital Grant Funding for Wicklow

Posted December 4th, 2012

Dear Constituent,

For the first time in four years sports Capital funding has been provided for Community and Sports groups to develop and improve their facilities. Below is a list of the Wicklow recipient groups which have been approved for funding. I have no doubt that this funding will be hugely beneficial to many communities across our county. Simon

Wicklow Annamoe Community Development Association Limited €40,000
Wicklow Arklow Amateur Boxing Club €40,000
Wicklow Aughrim RFC €3,500
Wicklow Avondale GAA Club €55,000
Wicklow Ballymanus GFC €70,000
Wicklow Ballywaltrim Recreational Park Management Committee €16,000
Wicklow Baltinglass GAA Club €50,149
Wicklow Blessington GAA Club €30,000
Wicklow Bray Bowling Club €77,000
Wicklow Bray Town Council, Ballywaltrim €190,000
Wicklow Co Wicklow Lawn Tennis Club €3,000
Wicklow Cobra Gymnastics Club €10,000
Wicklow Coolkenno Sports Field Ltd. €20,000
Wicklow Dunlavin GAA Club €30,000
Wicklow Greystones Rugby Football Club €47,000
Wicklow Kilcoole Camogie Club €2,000
Wicklow Knockananna G.A.A Club €45,000
Wicklow Lakers Social and Recreation Club Ltd €25,000
Wicklow Our Lady Of Fatima Boxing Club Wicklow €4,000
Wicklow Rathdrum Gymnastics Club €13,000
Wicklow St Patricks GAA Club, Wicklow €50,000
Wicklow St Pats Schoolboy and Schoolgirls Soccer club Avoca €15,000
Wicklow St. Patricks GAA Club, Kilcoole €17,500
Wicklow Tiglin Teen Challenge €24,000
Wicklow Wicklow Rugby Football Club €37,000
Wicklow Woodbrook Garden County Archers €15,000

Harris welcomes Wicklow born Australian Senator to Dail.

Posted November 23rd, 2012

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris, welcomed Senator for New South Wales, Ursula Stephens to Dail Eireann last week. The Senator, who worked extensively with former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the areas of Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, visited the Houses of the Oireachtas last week as a part of a Parliamentary group visit to Ireland.

Deputy Harris said ‘during discussion of the close relationship between Ireland and Australia the Senator mentioned that she had been born in County Wicklow and lived on Convent Road, Wicklow Town until she was 7 years of age. It was fantastic to meet her and we discussed many issues around education along with the solutions to these in both Ireland and Australia.

‘The emphasis in the Australian education system is extremely interesting as are the methods by which they have adapted to some of the significant difficulties that exist in a modern education system.

‘There are significant areas for learning from one each other and identifying new and better ways of adapting our systems. The Senator should a great interest in Ireland and the Irish approach to many of these issues.

‘I was delighted to meet Senator Stephens and to discuss these vital issues with her’ Concluded Deputy Harris.

Harris welcomes €400m new investment in Wicklow broadband

Posted October 19th, 2012

Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris has today welcomed the announcement by Eircom of Phase IV of their Fibre Rollout

“This announcement is fantastic for County Wicklow as Phase IV includes Arklow, Greystones, Newtownmountkennedy and Wicklow Town. This is a welcome development and opens up new opportunities for businesses, community groups and local schools.

“The provision of high speed internet is something that is much needed and will provide distinct advantages for Wicklow in the future.

“I look forward to the complete roll out of high speed broadband throughout county Wicklow but I welcome the continued progress in providing these services to the people of Wicklow.”

Harris congratulates Wicklow Towns on performance in Tidy Towns

Posted September 11th, 2012

Wicklow Fine Gael TD Simon Harris commended the efforts of Tidy Towns committees around County Wicklow.

Aughrim continued last year’s success by winning another gold medal in its category in the Tidy Towns 2012 Competition.

Stratford on Slaney was highly commended and Wicklow Town commended in the regional awards, while Glenealy was recognised with the Endeavour Award for having made significant improvements on last year’s performance.

Welcoming the results, Deputy Harris said, ‘The awards are richly deserved and reflect the work that has gone into towns around Wicklow. The Tidy Towns competition is a great example of what can be done by local communities to improve the towns they live in. It is fantastic for getting the community interested and involved in their surroundings and the results have demonstrated the great work done throughout Wicklow over the last year.’

‘I would like to extend my congratulations to all those involved in the Tidy Towns efforts around Wicklow and I look forward to working with the committees for the 2013 competition.’

Harris welcomes additional special needs classes for Wicklow

Posted August 23rd, 2012

Fine Gael Wicklow TD Simon Harris today welcomed the provision of four new special needs classes for county Wicklow and the continued focus on special needs by the Government.

Deputy Harris said ‘The announcement by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) of these additional resources reflects progress in providing much needed resources for those with special needs.’

‘The classes in Wicklow are of significant value to Wicklow families and will help young Wicklow people in gaining the education that they are entitled to. I am pleased that these resources have been allocated to East Glendalough Wicklow Town, CBS Arklow, Scoil Nioclais Naofa NS Dunlavin and Holy Rosary Wicklow Town. During my time in Dáil Éireann, I have spoken with many parents who are struggling to get appropriate educational supports for their children. Today’s announcement is good news but I will be continuing to engage with the NCSE to increase the supports available to students across county Wicklow.’

These classes are scheduled to be available this coming September and are part of a broader roll-out of supports for special needs learning that will see the provision of 500 places across the country.
Deputy Harris concluded ‘the additional supports are welcome progress in providing the necessary resources for those with special needs and reflects the continuing focus of the government on the support for those with special needs.’

23/08/12

Free WiFi for Wicklow rail commuters

Posted July 12th, 2012

Free WiFi now available on all Intercity trains, DART and commuter services to follow.

Fine Gael Wicklow TD, Simon Harris, has welcomed the rollout of free WiFi access on all Iarnród Éireann Intercity trains.

Deputy Harris said, “I am very pleased to see this initiative being rolled out across Wicklow, and look forward to its introduction on commuter and DART services, which I have been will be introduced later this summer.”

“This new service will make it much easier for commuters to take advantage of modern technologies to make sure their time spent commuting can be used as effectively as possible.”