Gormley vetoes 'naming and shaming' of litter louts

Sunday, August 29, 2010


Gormley: naming would be illegal
ENVIRONMENT minister John Gormley has been criticised for banning the publication of the names and addresses of 'litter louts' in newspapers.

The department of environment, heritage and local government has contacted every local authority telling them the policy would be illegal, despite perceptions that such a deterrent could encourage people to clean up their acts.

While it is unclear exactly how many councils planned to adopt the move – which would include a 'name and shame' policy on websites and in local media – they have now been told to dump the idea.

Referring to previous such actions, county managers were told the publication of names and addresses in newspapers – referring to advertising paid for by authorities as opposed to local court reports – would be in breach of data protection legislation. (The names and addresses of people convicted in court can legally be made public.)

Specifically, such a policy would breach section 2A of the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003.

"It is further recommended that any such material currently on local authorities' websites should be removed immediately and that no further publication should take place," the letter stated.

The direction has drawn criticism from supporters of the proposal.

Fine Gael councillor Kieran Dennison, whose proposal for such a move was adopted in Fingal, north Dublin, rounded on Gormley.

"This is an example of how silly government regulation has become in Ireland," he said. "While the local newspapers can name and shame when reporting court proceedings, the council cannot publish the same details on an adjoining page or even on its website. Ireland has changed from a 'can do' country to become a 'can't do' land."

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Swords water supply outage

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The following areas in Swords have no water at present due to emergency repairs which have to be carried out following a road collapse at the junction of Watery Lane and Rathbeale Road:  Watery Lane, Bridge Street, Jugback Lane, Broadmeadow, Castlefarm, Rathbeale Crescent, Glasmore Park, Mooretown, St. Andrews Park, and Daleview Road.

It will be late tonight before the water supply is restored to the area.

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Temporary Closure of Blakestown Road

There will be a temporary closure of the Blakestown
Road from its junction with Mountview Road to its junction with
Blakestown Way from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. each night from Monday 20th
September 2010 to Sunday 26th September 2010 to facilitate the carrying
out of necessary road resurfacing works.

The alternative routes available are:-

(i)     via Mountview Road, Hartstown Road, Huntstown Way and Blakestown
Road (Part Of)
(ii)    via Mountview Road, Blanchardstown Road South, Blakestown Way
and Blakestown Road (Part Of).
(iii)

Local access will be maintained.

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