As regular readers of this site will know I am very proud to be Chairman of the Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith Commemorative Society. Each year we organise mass and a ceremony for these two great men. The event will be held this Sunday at 10.30 at St Josephs, Berkeley Road, Dublin 7. This will be followed a graveside ceremony in Glasnevin Society. I am delighted to confirm that Elaine Byrne, well known journalist and political scientist will be our guest speaker. The ceremony will commence at 12. All are, as always, welcome.

Busy week with schools. I also visited St Mary’s Holy Faith School as part of the Oireachtas outreach programme. I visited this school with my constituency colleagues. We were asked a series of questions by the pupils. One of the most interesting parts of the visit was the difference in tone and content in the answers that my colleagues supplied to the questions. While some were struck by how unruly and tense the Oireachtas is, I described the same environment as exciting and volatile.

As is always the case a large number of different questions were raised by the pupils. There was a lot of questioning in relation to the Seanad and the future of this chamber. I honestly believe that Enda has done more for constitutional innovation in relation to the second chamber and it’s future than anyone else in the last 20 years.

A very enjoyable visit, and hopefully I will be back.

We are organising a public meeting tomorrow night on our healthcare plans.

Guest speakers will be Enda and Dr James Reilly TD. Meeting is 8pm at the Regency Hotel on the Swords Road.

Councillor Mary O’Shea has provided me with an update on the planning process for the mast in the Glasnevin Industrial Estate.

“The case is due in court for mention on the 23rd of February 2010 with a view to getting a full hearing on the next available date. According to our records, the retention planning application was refused permission on the 20th of January 2010.”

Water will be available from stationary tankers at the following locations:

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