Martin & Harris grilled over 'empty' Dublin plan with lack of funding or timeline promises & ‘city in decline' fear

The Irish Sun

12 hours ago

GOVERNMENT leaders have come under fire for re-hashing an 'empty' plan to revitalise Dublin city centre with no funding or new actions.
The media were invited to a rare press conference with all three
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An 'empty' plan to revitalise Dublin city centre has been blasted
Credit: Getty
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Simon Harris promised that the plan would be 'backed by clear funding'
Credit: PA
Taoiseach
Despite glowing speeches from all three leaders about the importance of our capital
For example,
Last year's Dublin city taskforce recommended adding 1,000 more
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Today's announcement included no detail on how they will hit this target with the Taoiseach giving a loose commitment that it would be achieved within ten years but with no timelines for that roll-out.
The big plan also piggy backed on a series of building revamps that are already underway or announced including refurbs of the GPO, the Abbey Theatre, the Ambassador Theatre and the Fruit and Vegetable Market.
Derelict buildings in the city will be converted into high density accomodation for essential workers - a proposal also previously announced last year.
Despite Simon Harris promising that the plan would be 'backed by clear funding' and Taoiseach Micheal Martin committing to 'significant new public investments' – the announcement included zero numbers on how much money will be invested in the capital.
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A spokesperson for the Taoiseach told the Irish Sun that there will be funding announced in the National Development Plan with immediate cash for the plan coming from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund - but with no details on how much.
The only concrete mention of funding for these changes came in the form of a commitment to 'examine' the introduction of a tourist tax on hotel rooms which could raise between €4 million to €41 million and would be ring fenced for the city
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The plan is also light on ways to help boost the number of people living in the city centre by increasing the number of properties to rent or buy in
Instead, it includes promises to 'engage with local property owners' on dereliction and a commitment to 'support the transformation for key vacant sites.'
The Irish
The report does include plans to tackle this by ensuring on-street bagged waste restrictions are put in place and 24 hour cleaning is brought in for the O'Connell Street area.
While the plan mentions re-energising the night time economy in Dublin, Taoiseach Micheal Martin today played down the chances of nightclubs being able to open until 6am as planned by the last Government.
SAME AGAIN
Former Justice Minister
Taoiseach Martin claimed that work is ongoing on this but refused to commit to allowing nightclubs open until 6am while Simon Harris said there are concerns about a city opening later without appropriate resources for policing or
The Dublin Central TD said: 'I thought after four press conferences and two years we would hear some detail but when I listened in I got a rehash of the same announcements that have been made three times already.
'There is absolutely nothing here. The city is in decline. It needs leadership.
"We thought that this is what that was going to be about but it just seems to be a useful press release for you.'