Speaking in Leinster House on Wednesday Deputy Ellis raised the need for a primary school and new community hall and other facilities in the Meakstown Area.

The Dublin North West TD said “In the last decade there has been a big increase in population without community resources and no schools to cater for the population.  The area around Charlestown, Melville, Hampton Woods, Creston, Lanesboro, Seagrove and Mayeston has grown enormously and will be further extended in the coming years. Community facilities need to be prioritised, which can be funded from several sources, for example, the rates from Charlestown Shopping Centre and local development levies.”

The Sinn Féin TD told the Minister “that he must instruct Fingal Co. Co. and the Dept. of the Environment to ensure that facilities are put in place and proper planning must be adhered too and that the current situation is not good enough. “

Deputy Ellis finished by saying that “  I will keep pressure on the Dept. of the Environment and Fingal Co Co to prioritise the Meakstown area for proper infrastructure as is required for a community of this size. “

Speaking in Leinster House, Sinn Féin Dublin North West TD Dessie Ellis hoped that a more sensible approach will be taken by Tesco, and not the confrontational one which was previously taken, which triggered almost two weeks of protest by workers.

Deputy Ellis said:

“The support shown by the public who by and large didn’t pass the pickets and supported the workers over the strike is encouraging. The resolve of the workers who I meet at Clearwater and Drumcondra is one to be applauded, as is the support given by the public and business community.

“However, I told the Government that they have failed to stand up for the workers’ rights and allowed a profitable company like Tesco to attempt to tear up hard fought agreements and contacts. This inaction by the Government is only facilitating a race to the bottom. Tesco misjudged the resolve of workers and support from the public. I don’t accept that the Government has no opinion on this issue.

“It’s time the Government should stand up for people and say this race to the bottom is wrong and the Government shouldn’t facilitate big multinational companies who are driving down wages and tearing up contacts.”