John Lyons Dublin Bay North 2024
I am asking for the privilege to represent you at national level as an Independent TD for Dublin Bay North.
My pledge to you is to act in a principled, consistent, transparent, accountable and focused manner in addressing the issues of most importance to you, your family and community.
Councillor John Lyons
It has been an honour to represent communities across Dublin Bay North as a Dublin City Councillor since 2014. Over that time I have seen firsthand many people, families and communities struggle, yet I believe that if we genuinely address the issues in housing and health, community investment, childcare and climate action, we can improve peoples’ lives by creating a more inclusive, healthy, sustainable and caring society.
Born and reared on the northside of Dublin, I have been politically active in the area for the past 15 years, campaigning against water charges and local property taxes; for better public transport and cycling infrastructure; the Repeal of the 8th Amendment; public and affordable housing on the Oscar Traynor Road site, workers’ and pensioners’ rights; the Save Moore Street Campaign; the need for new community, sporting and cultural facilities as well as being involved in the campaign to bring our bin service back into public ownership.
John Lyons Dublin Bay North 2024 on Housing
The lack of public and affordable housing is having such a detrimental impact upon so many thousands of people across Dublin. Far too many people are faced with unaffordable, insecure housing or are stuck at home, unable to get on with their lives whilst thousands of people are currently enduring the horror of homelessness. This must change.
I will continue to fight for the following:
- A comprehensive five-year programme of public and affordable homes to rent and purchase delivered directly on public lands by the Dublin Local Authorities via a new state home-building agency
- A ban on no-fault evictions
- The proper planning of new residential developments with the parallel delivery of key infrastructure and services
- Empowering local authorities to comprehensively address vacancy, dereliction and housing maintenance issues more rapidly
- Significantly increase the supply of affordable student accommodation.
On Health
I believe in a universal public health service which is centred on treating patients’ medical needs rather than their financial status and insurance cover.
Significant investment in primary care is required to ensure children can access speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and other necessary therapies and supports in a timely manner.
Mental Health services require significantly increased funding from the current 5.8% of the health budget to a minimum of 10%.
Drug policy: The holistic, health-led approach to drug use must be extended. Significant additional funding on a multi-annual basis for drugs services across the statutory, community and voluntary sectors is required.
The decriminalisation of drugs for personal consumption and improved education and prevention awareness campaigns are essential.
A Dual Diagnosis approach to substance misuse and mental health must be embedded across all services via the implementation of the HSE’s Dual Diagnosis National Clinical Programme.
On Creating Safer Communities
We need to Strengthen Local Government, Fund Youth Services and Invest in our Communities: our areas need and deserve more community centres, sports facilities, arts and cultural venues, well-maintained areas and playgrounds. Such facilities help foster a sense of community and add life and vibrancy to our areas. Without them and the proper funding for the essential Youth Services, anti-social behaviour grows. The volunteer work that people do in the community is inspiring and it should be backed by investment at the local and national level.
On Workers’ Rights
Workers in Ireland need better rights, protections, pay and conditions. Collective action is the only way to guarantee these entitlements. I will work with the trade unions to introduce legislation to provide for the introduction of a statutory framework and protection for collective bargaining.
The minimum wage must become a Living Wage of €15 per hour.
On Early Years Education / Childcare
I believe we can do so much better for families when it comes to the provision of early years education and childcare. We need to create a publicly-funded and managed system of early years education.
John Lyons Dublin Bay North 2024 on Disability Rights
People living with a disability know from their own experience that the Irish government has failed to provide for their needs.
People with disabilities should be able to live independently and with the same access to jobs, education, and amenities as everyone else. I will continue to support the goals and campaigns of Disability Power Ireland, the Independent Living Movement Ireland, Neuropride Ireland and all those campaigning for disability rights.
On Climate Action and Animal Rights
The climate emergency is an existential crisis. At a bare minimum, Ireland needs to implement the recommendations of the Climate Change Advisory Council on a cross-sectoral basis as a matter of urgency.
As part of this socially just and sustainable transition to a low carbon future, we must reappraise our relationship to animals:
I want to see an end to the mistreatment of animals and if elected would introduce legislation to ban fox hunting, live exports, puppy farming, pheasant shooting and the importation of exotic animals for the pet shop industry.
On Education
All our children deserve the best education possible. It should be genuinely free from primary, post-primary to third level and adult education.
Schools should be funded to ensure that all students and teachers are learning and working in the best equipped classrooms and labs in quality-built, energy-efficient school buildings.
Higher education requires increased funding and third level students need the abolition of the contribution fees.
On Unity Over Division
The difficulties we face as a society are the result of government policy which always prioritises the wealthy over the rest of us. The far-right want people to punch down but we know it is only by standing together that we can win better services and create safer communities for everyone, no exceptions.
No matter who we are, where we are from or how we identify, we all deserve a secure warm place to call home, and the chance to live to our fullest potential.
John Lyons Dublin Bay North 2024 on Palestine and Peace in the World
The genocide of the people of Gaza and the war in Ukraine are two of the most horrific events of recent times. As a neutral country with a proud record of opposing imperialism, Ireland is an important voice in world affairs. I want to use that voice to stand with all people whose lives are being torn apart by war.
John Lyon’s Experience
– Director of the Dublin North-East Drugs & Alcohol Taskforce and Chairperson of its Finance Committee;
-Member of the Special Inter Local Authority Committee on Fire/Ambulance Services and Emergency Management;
-Member of Dublin City Council’s Local Community Safety Partnership (formerly Joint Policing Committee);
– Member of Dublin City Council’s Community, As Gaeilge, Sport, Arts & Culture Strategic Policy Committee (SPC);
– Member of Dublin City Council’s Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC);
-Member of The Darndale Implementation & Oversight Group
-Chairperson of Darndale F.C.
I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture of their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.
Martin Luther King
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Have to say John,just watched you on the late debate. Your were excellent. As we know FFFG have an agenda to privatize our health service it’s so obvious with the amount of private operators / clinics.