Following my representations to DCC, the Assistant City Manager in charge of Housing, has confirmed to me that the current Cold Weather Initiative at Chester House will end at the end of March 2011, weather permitting. Furthermore, the City Council will consult with the Local Elected Members and Community prior to Chester House being put into any future use by the Council. In the meantime the weekly meetings with all the stakeholders will continue. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or feedback on this issue. All the best, Mary.

Protection of Retail Workers Bill
In April 2025 Mary introduced the Protection of Retail Workers Act 2025, a Bill aimed at amending the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to create specific offences for assaulting, threatening, harassing, or abusing retail workers while they are carrying out their employment. Retail workers across Ireland are on the