Fantastic night last night (27th) at the Kilcock Golf Club fashion show fundraiser. What a massive crowd, it was truly amazing. We had great fun and also showcased the fabulous clothing from the local Ladies and Mens boutiques. Style and fashion in BIG supply with all our local “supermodels”. Well done to the committee for arranging a super event enjoyed by everyone. Big thanks to all the businesses that supported the show in so many different ways. It was brilliant to meet and interview the famous Martha Fitzpatrick (Charlotte) from Fair City who was very enjoyable and great fun, thank you Martha. A BIG thanks to my co host Helen Fox for her fun and professionalism on the night. Thanks to Kilcock Golf Club for my “surprise” gift.
It was so good and enjoyable I would do it all again………

I welcome Kildare County Council’s proposal to upgrade Leixlip Fire Station, along with the Fire Station in Newbridge, following on from a tender published by the Council to seek a contractor to complete the necessary works.

This is an issue I raised as both a County Councillor, and now as a TD, and is of the utmost importance to ensure the safety of the surrounding residents.

On 19th October,  I had the opportunity to speak in the Dáil about the recent Budget. Topics I touched on included, Infrastructure (incorporating public transport), Broadband, The National Treatment Fund, Old Age Pension & Medical Cards, Child Benefit, Motor Insurance and the Food Sector.

More information in the video attached.

Great fun today at the rehearsals for the Kilcock Golf Club Fashion Show Fundraiser which is taking place on Thursday night, the 27th of October at 8pm in the Glenroyal Hotel. Tickets can be purchased from Eileen O’Toole or any of the committee members. It’s going to be a great night with all local “models” showcasing the current fashion from local businesses. I’m delighted to be the MC for the night with Helen Fox nee Swift as known from TV3. Look forward to seeing you all on the night….!!!!

I was delighted to welcome the students and teachers from Primrose Hill N.S to Leinster House today. We had a great chat and discussion on a number of topics and in particular around public transport which they all used to travel into Leinster House today. Thank you all very much for the lovely book which you presented to me on the “Plinth”. I look forward to reading it. Hope you all enjoyed the visit and I look forward to visiting your school soon to continue the discussion.

I was delighted to welcome the Fianna Fáil Society from DCU to Leinster House today which included Kildare students with my colleagues deputies Thomas Byrne and Sean Haughey. It was great to meet and engage with them. They have a great society in DCU so well done to all and keep up the good work.

Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North Frank O’Rourke met with senior officials from the Housing Department to press for measures to enable more housing units to be built for the many that are now seeking homes.

‘I met with senior officials from the Housing Department and pressed for some specific measures to be put in place to enable more housing units to be delivered.’

‘The housing crisis is being exacerbated due to a lack of infrastructure to facilitate construction of new housing units. Towns such as Maynooth, Clane, Celbridge, Leixlip, and Kilcock for example, all need additional infrastructure to enable housing units to be developed.’

‘Ring roads, waste water treatment plants, schools, and public transport are examples of facilities that are required to enable further housing units to be constructed. A €200m fund is available for local authorities to assist with the provision of these services and I highlighted the importance of this fund for a county like Kildare.’

‘This infrastructure such as waste water and roads etc could be provided in tandem with the construction of new houses. Given the low cost of borrowing, now is the time to provide this infrastructure.’

‘I also requested the officials to consider easing the planning conditions, to enable contractors who have commenced the construction of housing units, and complying with the planning requirements, to complete the construction of these units without having to apply for full planning to get an extension to their permission. Seeking an extension in many cases adds little or no value to the planning process, but will slow down the supply of housing units.’

‘Following my meeting this week with the Department, I am confident that it sees the benefit of these two proposals. I believe that progress will be made on both of my proposals. Enabling the supply of housing units is a key challenge for this country. We must put in place the necessary policies so that the country has enough houses for its people.’

“There are a number of areas in Kildare where planning has been granted, but construction is delayed because the necessary infrastructure for waste water and ring-roads are not yet in place. In some cases, the construction of housing has been delayed for in excess of three years,” said Deputy O’Rourke.

“We need to tackle the slow pace in completing the construction of new housing estates. In the Dail last week, I asked Minister Coveney to examine irregularities in the planning code to ensure this problem is addressed and unnecessary planning delays are avoided. The current situation is not acceptable,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.