Dublin City centre "Private Car" ban

Image via WikipediaSo let's get this straight. There will not be a "Private car ban" in Dublin City until 2011. Aside from the obvious cycnicism I have right now for that comment from Noel Dempsey I obviously welcome the fact that I may be able to get through Dublin City Center on my bike without the necessity of carrying around a copy of my Last Will and Testament in my back pocket! Well it had to happen sooner or later I guess. They got rid of the HGV's in 2005 and the humble car's days have been numbered since then coupled with the "success" of the congestion charge in London City.

However my cynicism lies in the fact that 2011 is no ordinary date. Have a look below to see the key Governmental events of the next couple of years.

• 2008, Lisbon I and Lisbon II, if it does not get passed the first time.
• 2008, Possibility of the Children's "Rights" Referendum at the end of the year.
  
• 2009, Local and European Elections.
  
• 2009, 90th Anniversary (officially) of the Irish State, with the Declaration of Independence and some Events to mark this will be held.
  
• 2012, Next General Election if this government runs to Full term.

So they will be delaying for a while whilst these events roll out and are forgotten and only then will the construction work on the Metro and Luas Extension begins in 2011 after this private car ban has been introduced. Meanwhile these events will be forgotten about by the time the General Election rolls out and we will trundle along again. Unless those in the opposition finally get into shape. But erm in the meanwhile I will be holding on to that copy of my Will in my back pocket for another couple of years. Just in Case and the War between me and Dublin Bus continues onwards. Watch out Dublin Bus-I am not afraid to cycle in my lane!! Bah.

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The DLR Experience

Image via Wikipedia

Well it is coming up to that time of year again. Yes you are right it is Referendum time. *sigh* it seems like only yesterday when we voted in the last referendum on the EU Constitution, then the bleeding Damn Dutch and French rejected it! Bah. Anyway I will not be making my opinions known on Lisbon just yet-It will happen in the near future, I promise.

However back to the story at hand. I will be living in Dublin for this referendum, which means of course that one has to change one's electoral vote to the infamous (for many reasons) Dun Laoire-Rathdown County Council electoral area. So in order to change my address, I called Corporate Services in DLR this morning and they were most pleasant. I shall have to wait for her to send out the supplementary electoral register form, fill it in, get a guard to sign and stamp it and then send it back to DLR. Relatively straight forward I hope.

I do however have a reason for this post, mainly to remind people-ie students or otherwise-who have moved since the Electoral Register was compiled last January to get in contact with their local county council and change their vote to their new area. As the Referendum will be held on the 12th of June 2008, you have up to 14 days prior to that to get registered and get your names on the list, which means that Thursday the 29th May is the last day for it. If you don't have a change of address, You can check the electoral register from the web to ensure you are still on the list at the Dept. of Local Govt's website or alternatively you can view the register at any County Hall or Library.