Busy morning at today’s Dublin Central Area Committee meeting.

I moved a motion on behalf of my Fine Gael colleague, Cllr. Gayle Ralph, seeking improved regulation of commercial drone operations in our city, with particular regard to the residential communities in Drumcondra and Glasnevin.

We discussed the naming of new housing developments in Summerhill, Ballybough, and Stoneybatter. Irish Rail presented to the committee, and I used the opportunity to raise a number of key local concerns — including:

• The proposed community garden at Ossory Road.
• The need for improved noise monitoring along the North Strand.
• The impact of DART+ West on local households.
• Calls for a new station near Croke Park.
• Ongoing anti-social behaviour around the rail line by Clonliffe Road and Clonliffe Avenue

EirGrid also briefed us on major infrastructure plans to strengthen the city’s electricity supply.

The Parks Department provided welcome updates on:

• The Elizabeth Street greening works (starting shortly).
• Progress on the Stoneybatter Greening Strategy.
• A contractor to be appointed this month for Russell Avenue Play Space in East Wall.
• The new greening plans in Cabra, that my colleague, Cllr. Colm O’Rourke has been advocating for some time.

I also sought answers on a range of local issues, including the weed removal schedule in the North Inner City, illegal dumping outside specific properties, torn recycling bags in Stoneybatter, and the need for stronger post-match clean-ups after games in Croke Park.

As ever, continuing to push for a cleaner, safer and better serviced communities of the North Inner City and across Dublin Central.