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Maximum salary for civil servants advocated
Architectural Conservation Order on American Embassy in Ballsbridge
Mary Freehill at the Labour Party Conference

Friday, 10 April, 2009
Architectural Conservation Order on American Embassy in Ballsbridge
Cllr. Mary Freehill, former Lord Mayor proposed and  got agreement that Dublin City Council will commence the process of placing an Architectural Conservation Order on the American Embassy in Ballsbridge.

"Recently the Embassy made it known that they intend moving to a new location, as an Embassy is legally foreign ground I want to make sure that the conservation Order will take effect when it is no longer an embassy.  Because its one of the finest buildings in the City it must be protected. It is also located on a prime site so its important that it is protected from development"

The American Embassy located on the triangular site at Elgin Roads and Pembroke Roads in Ballsbridge was designed by John MacL. Johansen and Michael Scott and completed in 1964. They used Irish materials for example, the base of the building is of Irish granite and the floors throughout are terrazzo of Connemara marble.

In 1969 an Taisce, honoured the Embassy with its premier award.

Back in the '80's when the Embassy decided to enclose the entire site with heavy high railings, Cllr Freehill was Chair of the Pembroke Rd Association, "we campaigned to prevent the placing of these railings and succeeded in getting a compromise on the original heavy fortress design."

Friday, 27 March, 2009
Mary Freehill at the Labour Party Conference
Speaking to motion No. 81 on the Educational Debate on Friday 27th March
The failure of the Department of Education & Science to devise appropriate Local Education Forums between local authorities and schools in their catchment area is a glaring gap in an opportunity for democratic community involvement

Recently in Dublin South East we had a meeting with the teachers and members of management boards of local schools. The original focus of this meeting was in relation to Ruairi Quinn's work as Spokesperson on Education.   One of the most striking revelations at that meeting was that the Teachers had never been in contact with their Local Authorities and even more extraordinary never thought that we could offer services.

We then proceeded to talk about provision of sports facilities, use of parks, arts and  libraries. What should we be including in the review of our City & County Development Plans that would make areas safer and more suitable for school going children.   So the conversation changed quite dramatically. Very quickly we could see an opportunity for community empowerment.

All too often we bemoan the powerlessness of local government but there are initiatives that we can take that will empower and give greater opportunities to young people to engage with their local authority.

We in Dublin South East Local Area Committee of City Council have already formally agreed the establishment of an educational forum comprising teachers, Board of Management and parents representatives along with City Council Officials and local Councillors. We will have our inaugural meeting in the next few weeks.

It has often been said that power is something that you take rather than wait for it to be given to you.

Its up to us as Councillors to take that power and initiate engagement and show that democracy can work at local level by establishing these forums throughout the country.

Tuesday, 17 February, 2009
Maximum salary for civil servants advocated
Labour TD and Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs Roisin Shorthall advocated a maximum salary for civil servants this evening. Speaking to The Last Word on Today FM she suggested to presenter Anton Savage that it would “be pitched at around €150,000” with bonuses and overtime scrapped for high earners.

“The first thing the government must ensure is solidarity in relation to the scale of our problems and how they are tackled. That means taking a very firm line with the bankers and our banks,” she told Anton Savage. “What I am saying is those at the top must be dealt with severely if there is to be fairness. There is no reason why public servants alone should be singled out…”

“There are still a number of people making high salaries. It is about people paying their fair hare on the basis of their ability to pay,” she went on, “[You need to] start at the top and make sure they make a contribution irrespective of whether they are public or private sector.

“At the top level of the public sector my own personal view, and I believe there is support for this in the Labour party, is the concept of a maximum wage or maximum salary.”

When asked how it might work and how much it would save she continued, “start at the top and introduce a maximum wage in the public service, I see that pitched around €150,000 and you end all bonuses and overtime as well as that. Introduce a levy that is seen to be fair…what I would like to see is those earning over €50k pay 5%, over €100k pay 10% and over €150k pay 15% - a progressive scale that ensure those struggling to survive on their existing wage would not be scape-goated.”

“It would save around €750 million.”

The Last Word with Matt Cooper airs on Today FM on Weekdays from 16.30 – 19.00.