12/01/2005

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Message From Mayor Robert Dowds

   As Mayor of South Dublin County Council I wish to convey, on behalf of the members and staff of the Council and

  on  behalf of the people of South Dublin County, our deepest sympathy to the countries in Asia affected by the

  Tsunami earthquake disaster, and to express our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this

  tragedy, especially the family and friends of the late Eilis Finnegan.

  South Dublin County Council has opened a Book of Condolences at County Hall, Tallaght, the Civic Centre,

 Clondalkin and at its libraries at Tallaght, Clondalkin, Whitechurch, Ballyroan and Castletymon.  Condolences may

 also be sent online by accessing the South Dublin County Council Website (http://www.sdublincoco.ie/) or by

 texting a message of condolence to a designated phone number (086 – 1731707).

 In addition to this I also wish to announce that South Dublin County Council has chosen the week from 13^th March

 to 20^th March, 2005 as a special awareness/fundraising week in support of the Asian disaster and other natural and

 man-made disasters in Africa.  The Council will offer its facilities during the special week for the holding of or

 running of events and activities for the purpose of making people aware of the affects of disasters on humanity and

 also for fundraising purposes.  The Council facilities which will be put on offer will include the Civic Theatre (13^th

 March), Grange Castle Golf Course (19^th/20^th March), various community centres, libraries Parks and other sporting

 facilities throughout the county as well as the concourse at County Hall, Tallaght.

 I have established a steering group within the Council to develop an initial programme of activities. I  also intend to

 involve  representatives from the various agencies working in both Asia and Africa to avail of the opportunity to

 raise awareness and funds during the week.  I don’t want to exert tight control over any agency or support group

 which might choose to use our facilities.  However, I would be more than happy if the money raised was split 50/50

 between the needs of the Tsunami victims and the needs of the people of Africa.  I say this because, in the world

 context, Africa is the continent which most needs external aid.  The horrors currently happening in Darfur or the fact

 that a huge 3.5 million people have lost their lives recently in Congo/Zaire are examples as to why Africa needs a

 continuing focus.

 An opportunity will be afforded to individuals and  organisations to participate in this initiative.

 I recognise and appreciate that the people of South Dublin County have already displayed an extraordinary

 generosity through pledges and donations they have made towards the Asian disaster.   It is my intention to issue

 regular updates on the events and activities to be held during the week of 13^th to 20^th March, to highlight the dates,

 venues, events and activities as arrangements are secured and to announce the participants and supporting bodies and

 agencies.

 Lastly, the Tsunami disaster does point the finger at Ireland’s moral need to return to our Government’s original

 commitment to provide 0.7% of G.N.P.for Development Aid by 2007, in keeping with our people’s generosity since

 St. Stephen’s Day last.