Agenda and minutes

The Lord Mayor opened the meeting by expressing condolences on his own behalf and on behalf of the City Council to the family and friends of the late Sarah Cuffe, sister of Councillor Ciarán Cuffe, who died on Tuesday 1st November. All stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for all of the deceased.

The Lord Mayor then asked that Members respect each other in the Chamber and to desist from disturbing other Members whilst they were speaking. He asked that any future incidents be brought to his attention immediately as they occur.

The Lord Mayor then referred to a motion submitted by Councillor Mannix Flynn as an emergency motion and said that, while it was not considered to qualify as an Emergency Motion under Standing Orders, he was nevertheless willing to take it as a topic to be discussed under Lord Mayor’s Business as he felt the issues raised in the proposed emergency motion should be addressed.  He said he would vacate the chair for the duration of the discussion and the Deputy Lord Mayor would take the chair.

The wording of the topic to be discussed was as follows :-

“That this meeting of Dublin City Council calls on the Lord Mayor, Mr Brendan Carr, to withdraw his personalised comments that he made to the media in relation to my motion to disband the Artane Band and publicly apologise. The Lord Mayor is the Chairperson of DCC and first citizen and must be seen to be impartial and independent with regards to Councillor’s motions. His comments to the media are wholly undemocratic and not in keeping with his elected position as Lord Mayor”

The Lord Mayor then suggested taking Motion No 24 on the Agenda, also submitted by Councillor Flynn on the subject of the Artane Band, at this time and this proposal was agreed by the Members.  However, Councillor Flynn did not agree with the proposal to take Motion No 24. He put forward a suggestion that a meeting be arranged between himself and the Lord Mayor and that this might resolve the issue. The Lord Mayor felt it was important to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Councillor Flynn then left the Chamber.

Due to Councillor Flynn’s absence, the Lord Mayor, in agreement with the Members, did not proceed with the topic or Motion No 24 as he deemed it would unfair to Councillor Flynn and undemocratic.  It was proposed by Councillor S McGrattan and seconded by Councillor N O Muiri and agreed by the Council that this issue would be raised under Lord Mayor’s Business for the December City Council meeting.

It was moved by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor R McGinley  “That Dublin City Council approves the Dublin Chief Executive answering the questions lodged”. The motion having been put and carried, written answers to the 156 questions lodged for the City Council meeting were issued. The Questions and Answers are set out in Appendix A attached.

It was moved by Councillor R McAdam and seconded by Councillor C Burke “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of this letter”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R McAdam and seconded by Councillor C Burke “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of this letter”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R McAdam and seconded by Councillor C Burke “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of this letter”. The motion was put and carried.

The minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on the Special Meetings held on the 22nd September, 23rd September and the Monthly Meeting of City Council held on the 3rd October 2016, having been printed, certified by the Meetings Administrator, circulated to the Members and taken as read, were signed by the Lord Mayor.

It was proposed by Councillor N Reilly and seconded by Councillor V Jackson “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 312/2016”. The motion was put and carried

It was proposed by Councillor R McGinley and seconded by Councillor D Flanagan “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 274/2016 and hereby approves the contents therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor R McGinley “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 275/2016 and hereby approves the contents therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor N Ring and seconded by Councillor V Jackson “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 276/2016 and hereby approves the contents therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P McAuliffe “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 277/2016 and hereby approves the contents therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor D Lacey and seconded by Councillor D Flanagan “That Dublin City Council notes Report No   /2016 and hereby approves the contents therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C Ní Dhalaigh and seconded by Councillor R McHugh “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 306/2016 and hereby approves the contents therein”. The motion was put and carried

·        Deferred to December City Council Meeting

·        Referred to North West Area Committee for nomination

·        Referred to North West Area Committee for nomination

·        Cllr M MacDonncha was nominated by Councillor S McGrattan and seconded by Councillor J Boylan and approved by the City Council to represent Dublin City Council on the Association of Irish Local Government

·        Referred to North West Area Committee for nomination

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor R McAdam “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 317/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor D Flanagan and seconded by Councillor T Brabazon “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 332/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P Bourke and seconded by Councillor T Keegan “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 307/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor R McAdam and seconded by Councillor D Flanagan “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 314/2016 and hereby approves the contents therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor R McGinley and seconded by Councillor P Smyth “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 313/2016 and hereby approves the contents therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor S McGrattan and seconded by Councillor J Boylan  “That We, the Lord Mayor and Members of Dublin City Council, being the Roads Authority for the City of Dublin and being of the opinion that the Public Right of Way over laneway to the rear of number’s 62-72 Faussagh Avenue, Cabra, Dublin.as shown on the attached Drawing No R.M. 23939B, is no longer required for public use, extinguish the public right of way in accordance with Section 73 of the Roads Act 1993” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P McCartan and seconded by Councillor S McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 330/2016 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P McCartan and seconded by Councillor S McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 322/2016 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P McCartan and seconded by Councillor S McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 323/2016 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P McCartan and seconded by Councillor S McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 324/2016 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P McCartan and seconded by Councillor S McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 325/2016 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P McCartan and seconded by Councillor S McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 326/2016 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P McCartan and seconded by Councillor S McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 327/2016 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P McCartan and seconded by Councillor S McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 328/2016 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P McCartan and seconded by Councillor S McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 329/2016 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor R McGinley and seconded by Councillor P Smyth “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 304/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor D Doolan and seconded by Councillor J Boylan “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 301/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor P Smyth and seconded by Councillor C O’Moore “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 303/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor D Lacey and seconded by Councillor A Montague “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 331/2016”. The motion was put and carried. The City Council also agreed to write to Minister Simon Coveney, Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government, to reiterate the City Council’s opposition to the removal of power from councils in relation to planning applications for over 100 units, as proposed in the Planning and Development (Amendments) Bill 2016,

a)     “That this City Council condemns the lack of consultation with local Dublin City Councillors or with local residents regarding the change of use from a Community Centre to a Homeless Facility done through the use of the Section 179 of Planning law to bypass normal consultation in advance of any such works. The building in question is the St Nicholas of Myra, Community Centre, in Carman's Hall, Dublin 8.

            That we ask the Chief Executive to clarify to the Council who and when was            the decision made to relocate Brú Aimsir in James Street to this unsuitable       location and what consideration was given to the effects the change of use      would have. Furthermore we call on Dublin City Council and the Dublin            Homeless Regional Executive to immediately engage with local elected        representatives and residents regarding their plans for the St Nicholas of      Myra Community Centre: the exact operating conditions and licence for the             proposed Homeless facility; the services and supports that will be provided             inside and in the environs of the Hall for users; the need to set up of a liaison             structure with reps and local community in the event of it opening; the exact             timeframe regarding its use as a Homeless Facility; the production of written             guarantees around the necessary funding to reinstate the hall as a Community Centre and the exact timeframe as to when it will revert to full           community use”.

            This motion was submitted by Councillors C Ní Dhálaigh and R             Moynihan.

b)     “The Council notes that the sale of the Central Bank of Ireland’s buildings on Dame Street is to include the sale of the public square bordering Dame Street, also known as the Central Bank Plaza. The Council instructs City Management to approach the relevant State Agencies and Governmental Departments to ensure that the Public Plaza portion of the CBOI buildings portfolio be preserved for public use and if necessary taken in charge by Dublin City Council. Management to report back to Council on the response of the relevant bodies and provide progress reports on this matter listed above” (amended version)

            This motion was submitted by Councillor Andrew Keegan

c)     “Dublin City Council calls on the Minister for Arts and Heritage to defer the introduction of the Heritage Bill 2016, in so far as it proposes to amend the Canals Act 1986, which would see the right of Local Councils  reduced to have a meaningful input on the operation and Bye laws regarding the Canals to allow dialogue with this Council, the Association of Irish Local Government and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland in relation to same”.

            This motion was submitted by Councillor Dermot Lacey

“That Dublin City Council deplores the fact:

•           that the Sunday Independent newspaper came into possession of confidential             information pertaining to a homeless housing applicant

•           that this information was then used in a distorted fashion by that newspaper            to damage that applicant's standing as a campaigner around the issue of the housing and homelessness crisis resulting in great personal distress

•           that a number of current and former public representatives and political       activists then shared this article on social media in an effort to compound the            damage to the housing applicant

Furthermore that Dublin City Council

•           Acknowledges that the Housing Assistance Payment scheme carries with it             particular disadvantages for housing applicants seeking ultimately to be      housed by the council and therefore declining accommodation under the           Housing Assistance Payment scheme is neither uncommon nor unreasonable

Dublin City Council therefore calls for

•           A statement from the Chief Executive regarding the circumstances of the             information leak

•           The amendment of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme so that social             housing applicants who take it up are not removed from the allocations list and can progress on that list as normal until they are housed by the council so that they do not face the dilemma that currently exists when encouraged   by Dublin City Council Homeless Services to partake in that scheme”.

            The motion was put and carried.

“That this Council:

•           Recognises that the decision to remain or leave the European Union is a     matter for UK voters to determine in a referendum on 23 June;

•           Asserts that as a fellow Member State with strong ties of people, trade and shared history, Ireland has a strategic interest in the outcome of the             referendum;

•           Notes the strong links between Dublin and cities around the UK, including   Liverpool, Dublin’s twin city since 1997;

•           Notes that a series of expert reports in Ireland and the UK indicate that        Ireland would be disproportionately negatively affected by a UK decision to             leave the European Union;

•           Acknowledges the role of the European Union in strengthening Ireland’s      bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom;

•           Notes the importance of EU membership in the context of our land border   with Northern Ireland and the generous PEACE funding provided by the EU to   Northern Ireland over many years;

•           Recognises the importance of informed debate and high voter turnout for a             positive outcome in the referendum;

•           Recognises the role that people in Ireland can play in engaging with friends,             family and colleagues in the UK on this key strategic issue for Ireland.

And:

•           Encourages British nationals with a right to vote living in Ireland to register to             vote before the closing date of 16 May 2016;

•           Urges Irish people with friends, family and colleagues living in the UK to      engage with them by phone, email and through social media, about the        importance of this referendum and Ireland’s perspective, the importance of       registering to vote and of becoming engaged with the referendum campaign;

•           Encourages initiatives such as the European Movement Ireland’s     #PhoneAFriend campaign;

•           Given the twinning relationship between Dublin and Liverpool, will engage   with Liverpool City Council following Local Elections in the UK on 5 May”

The wording of this motion was then amended by Councillor Freehill and seconded by Councillor D Lacey as follows :-

“Now that Brexit has happened, that Elected Local Government Members be included in relation to Irish Government’s Working Group. It is therefore agreed that DCC writes to the Taoiseach requesting him to co-op two representatives, a member of Irish Delegation of the Committee of the Regions  and also a member of the Association of Irish Local Government be included in the Irish Government’s Working Group ”. The amended motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 3/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 305/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 321/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 319/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 318/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 333/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 300/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 298/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 299/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 320/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 334/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 335/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council notes Report No 302/2016”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor P Hand “That Dublin City Council adopts Report No 316/2016”. The motion was put and carried.