Making Ireland Fairer
“Stephen’s enthusiasm, intimate knowledge of planning law and detailed submissions to An Bord Pleanála and Dublin City Council planners continue to win significant victories in the struggles to maintain the architectural integrity of inner city Dublin”
Councillor John Gallagher, Dublin City Council
As your full-time Senator I will spend the next five years making Ireland fairer in the following three main priority areas:
Advancing A Fairer Society
Many of the legislative battles for equal rights have been won. The task now is to ensure these hard-won rights are freely available to everyone where and when they need them. In the Dáil, every day I help to find practical solutions for those whose rights - to education, appropriate nutrition, nursing home care near home , affordable housing and decently managed apartment buildings - are not being fairly met.
As your full-time Senator I will:
Reducing our Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Global Warming is accelerating. Oil is becoming more expensive. Most of the food we consume is produced using oil-derived fertilisers. The EPA predicts competition between agricultural and human uses for water will mean little agriculture east of the Shannon within a generation. I am a member of Feasta's working group on developing the "Cap and Share" method for reducing Ireland's greenhouse gas-related emissions. I was also part of the policy team which produced this year's widely lauded "Blueprint for a Low Carbon Ireland". I have worked fulltime for the past 2 years providing advice on Agriculture and Food policy to front bench spokesperson Dr. Mary Upton TD.
I will use this knowledge in the Seanad to make informed contributions on how we can better manage Ireland's responses to Climate Change and the end of cheap oil.
Securing Best Practice in Planning
Transparency and best practice should prevail in Ireland's planning process. As your Senator:
