Demonstrate Against the EU-IMF-ECB Oct 15th
Around 1,000 people took part in a lively protest in Dublin as part of the worlwwide day of action against austerity, which saw protests from New Zealand, London, Australia and Rome and many other places. The march which went from Parnell Square to the Merrion Hotel, where IMFofficials are staying was addressed by speakers from Community Organisations, Hospital cuts campaigns, Bus Cuts campaigns, Education Cuts campaigns and ended with an open mic assembly where individuals got up and had their say. For more on Enough Campaign see: www.enoughcampaign.org
United Left Alliance Dublin West Bye-Election Launch
Speaking at the launch of the alliance’s byelection campaign in Dublin West, for Socialist Party/ULA candidate Cllr Ruth Coppinger, United Left Alliance TD, Richard Boyd
HSE RE OPENS THE HIV/AIDS UNIT IN CHERRY ORCHARD HOSPITAL FOR ADMISSIONS AND BROADENS IT’S REVIEW
Today family advocates for patients in the Rowan Unit in Cherry Orchard Hospital were informed by management that the unit will remain in full use for the present.
The HSE apologised to all patients and families who have been distressed by the lack of information on the future of the unit. Admissions had been cancelled in the unit for the past two weeks and up to last weekend five beds were empty.
Families of the three long term patients who live in the unit were also reassured today that any decision in the future on the accommodation for their brothers would only be taken after full consultation with the patients and their families.
Admissions to the unit are opened again and the HSE has indicated that a broader review, involving staff members and HIV advocacy groups has been put in place. This review will take at least one month to complete. The HSE management assured all involved that the respite service would not be closed but would be improved and enhanced.
This is very welcome news for the patients, the families and their supporters. Cllr. Brid Smith who had put a motion before Dublin City Council’s meeting last night calling on the HSE not to close the service, was assured of the support of the vast majority of the Council. In the event the motion did not go ahead but a similar motion was passed unanimously by the South Central Area committee last week.
The proposed closure of the unit was also raised in the Dail by Joan Collins TD. In response Deputy Roisin Shortall indicated that she was shocked by the news and would investigate it further.
The HSE were very conscious that this decision was negatively received by the general public and received dozens of communications from political representatives, HIV advocacy groups, media and family members.
The Planned Privatisation of Bin Services by Dublin City Council
Most of Monday night’s council meeting was taken up with arguments around the future of Temple Bar Cultural Trust
But by far the more interesting discussion for the rest of the meeting was around an emergency motion submitted by People Before Profit Councillors Pat Dunne, myself Brid Smith and Independent Councillor Ciaran Perry.
The motion, calling on management not to proceed with the sale of the bin collection service to private companies, was put before the council because on Friday last bin workers received a letter from Dublin City Council informing them they would be re-deployed, giving them one month to chose an option of where to and finally thanking them for their years of hard work.
I met an old friend on my way into the council meeting who has given 31 years of service to DCC waste management, most of it driving bin lorries. He was so offended by the one line of thanks and wishing him the best for the future contained in that letter. Perfectly understandable when his life’s labour can be written off so easily and sold to the highest bidder to make vast profits.
