Cllr Maria Dollard was the only representative to vote against ‘exclusion zones’ banning horses from 25 streets and lanes in Kilkenny City

At a meeting of Kilkenny County Council on Monday 15th March 2021, Cllr Maria Dollard was the only representative present to vote against a motion to create ‘exclusion zones’ banning horses from 25 streets and lanes in Kilkenny City.

Read her address to her fellow members and the executive of the Council, here:

I am voting against this bylaw due to its purpose in creating ‘exclusion zones’ on 26 streets and lanes in Kilkenny City.

In the first instance I want to say, I am not speaking on behalf of Travellers. No person from the Traveller community has asked me to advocate on their behalf.

Traveller culture is intrinsically linked to horse ownership. I have concerns about this bylaw. I note that the Irish Traveller Movement specifically give examples of institutional or structural racism. On their website, the ITM identify the development of laws that criminalise aspects of Traveller culture like the Control of Horses Act, as one example of ‘intentional or unintentional, systemic racism.’ (ref. below)

I am informed that right now we have the lowest number of illegally kept horses in Kilkenny that has been the case for a long time, due to the excellent enforcement actions of An Garda Síochána and the tireless work of the County Council Staff.

Therefore, I am voting against the bylaw because of the ‘exclusion zones’ as I believe it is a ‘sledgehammer to crack a nut’. While it doesn’t mention Travelers specifically, in reality, it will only impact on Travellers who lawfully own and care for their horses.

There are already laws to deal with anyone who engages in animal cruelty, neglect or who does not provide adequate equine land. The laws are there and should be enforced in every case.

I cannot vote for a law that gives the impression that all Travellers are so dangerous with their horses that they must be banned from the city centre. I believe that we should be promoting meaningful projects that engage with Travellers and help them promote their rich culture and heritage.

I’m voting against on behalf of people who want to see more done to support the Travelling Community, who are trying their best to maintain their way of life for future generations. The law is clearly perceived by a great many people I have spoken to, as having an unjust negative impact on Travellers who legally own and care properly for their horses. This law sends out a perceived message that they are not welcome in Kilkenny. I want to vote against, on behalf of people who think that law abiding people from every community are welcome in Kilkenny.

(ref. https://itmtrav.ie/strategic-priorities/anti-racism-interculturalism/anti-traveller-racism/)

< Older Post Newer Post >

Legislation to Cap Excess Profits for Energy Companies

By Maria Dollard • September 4, 2023

New bill to combat high electricity costs welcomed by Kilkenny Councillor by Liam Kelly O’Rourke Kilkenny People 01 Sep 2023 4:48 PM Kilkenny Green Party Councillor, Maria Dollard, has welcomed the publication of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill. The Bill provides a cap on the market revenues genered by non-gas generators in the wholesale electricity market between December 2022 to June 2023. The estimated proceeds from the cap on market revenues are in the range €80 million to €150 million and these will now be retained and used in the electricity sector to provide financial supports to households and businesses affected by high energy prices. Cllr Dollard, commented: "This is good news for Kilkenny consumers who will see the money collected ring fenced to be returned to consumers who have been paying way too much for electricity for a long time now. We need to support those on the lowest incomes. There’s no doubt some people are being hit harder than others and without access to good insulation, bills can be very high for some, especially older people and people with reduced mobility." Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, claimed the move would 'ease the impact of high energy prices on electricity consumers' and stated he intends to bring this Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas when the Dáil resumes after the summer recess. https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/local-news/1287190/new-bill-to-combat-high-electricity-costs-welcomed-by-kilkenny-councillor.html