After having to wait years for the half-built apartments to be acquired by Dublin City Council, that long wait has paid off with DCC building a fantastic scheme of wonderful apartments now called Grand Canal View.

For the second successive year I was invited to the presentation of certificates marking the achievements of a very special group of men and women.

It was a long time coming, but in the end it was worth waiting for… The magnificent Bluebell Community and Youth Services building has been officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and now stands as a truly wonderful facility for the local residents and adjoining communities.

As you may know, it was 14 years since I lost my seat in Dáil Éireann before I was re-elected in February 2011. So it was of great interest to me to be invited by TURAS to the presentation of certificates to their participating students.