Agenda and minutes

The Lord Mayor opened the meeting by expressing condolences on his own behalf and on behalf of the City Council in respect of the following :

·        Former Archbishop of Dublin Cardinal Desmond Connell who died on 21^st February 2017.

·        The 796 babies and mothers whose remains have been discovered at the site of the Tuam Mother & Baby Home Mrs Mildred Dinnigan

   All stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the deceased.

The Lord Mayor then introduced members of the Expert Panel who had been involved in advising in relation to the Dublin Fire Brigade and in particular it’s ambulance service. Mr Stephen Brady then gave a presentation to the Members and this was followed by another presentation by Mr Damian O’Rourke. See Appendices A and B to these minutes for details of the full presentations. Following discussion by the Members, the City Council suspended Standing Orders to agree the following emergency motion without debate.-

“That this council commends the Dublin Fire Brigade on their campaign to save their emergency calls service and once more calls on DCC management to re-engage in negotiations with DFB as a matter of urgency”

Submitted in the names ofCouncillors N Reilly, J. Boylan and G. Kelly

The City Council then endorsed the Protocol Committee approval for the installation of a Banner on Liberty Hall on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society for two weeks until 20^th March 2017.

The Lord Mayor then referred to the Rohingya People of Burma, saying that Dublin was proud to confer the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin on Aung San Suu Kyi in 1999 which she collected it in 2012.  He said that to date full civil rights have not been given to all in Burma and in particular the treatment of the Rohingya people raises questions. He said he would write to the Burmese Government to raise his concerns.

On a lighter note, the Lord Mayor then went on to congratulate Councillor Ray McAdam on his recently announced engagement to Niamh. The officials and Members all congratulated Ray and sent best wishes to the happy couple.

It was moved by Councillor  V Jackson and seconded by Councillor C Burke “That Dublin City Council approves the Dublin Chief Executive answering the questions lodged”. The motion having been put and carried, written answers to the 143 questions lodged for the City Council meeting were issued. The Questions and Answers are set out in Appendix C attached.

It was moved by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor J Boylan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of this letter”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor J Boylan “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 6^th February 2017 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 Ring and seconded by Councillor C Burke “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 76/2017”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor  D Lacey and seconded by Councillor P McAuliffe “That Councillor G Gannon be appointed as a member to the Economic Development & Enterprise Strategic Policy Committee” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor R Moynihan “That Councillor M Flynn be appointed as a member to the Protocol Committee ” The motion was put and carried.

The City Council agreed to defer consideration of this vacancy to it’s next meeting.

The City Council agreed to defer consideration of this vacancy to it’s next meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor R McGinley “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 97/2017” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor D Flanagan and seconded by Councillor P McCartan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 95/2017” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor R McGinley and seconded by Councillor N Ring “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 92/2017” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor R McAdam and seconded by Councillor V Jackson “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 72/2017 and hereby approves the membership of the Joint Policing Committees as outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor S McGrattan and seconded by Councillor M Flynn “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 73/2017 and hereby approves the Community Grant Scheme 2017 as outlined therein. The motion was put and carried. It was further agreed that a list of the unsuccessful applicants would be circulated to all Members. Councillor N Reilly declared an interest in one of the applicants and removed herself from the Chamber for the duration of this item.

It was proposed by Councillor R McGinley and seconded by Councillor M Flynn “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 96/2017 and hereby approves the Section 85 Agreement Regarding the Provision of Social Housing via a Public Private Partnership under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 as outlined therein”

“That this report is to be referred to the Housing SPC for a special presentation and policy discussion before being adopted/rejected by the full City Council” This motion was put and carried and the amendment was adopted by the City Council and It was agreed to refer the report to the Housing SPC.

It was moved by Councillor C Burke and seconded by Councillor N Ring  “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 a section of the laneway to the rear of 16-23 St. Ignatius Road, Dublin 7, as shown on the attached Drawing No R.M. 23303C, 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 R McGinley and seconded by Councillor R McAdam “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 93/2017” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C Ní  Dhálaigh and seconded by Councillor Á Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 74/2017 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C Ní Dhálaigh and seconded by Councillor Á Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 83/2017 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C NÍ Dhálaigh and seconded by Councillor Á Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 84/2017 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C NÍ Dhálaigh and seconded by Councillor Á Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 85/2017 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C Ní Dhalaigh and seconded by Councillor Á Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 86/2017 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C Ní Dhalaigh and seconded by Councillor Á Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No87 /2017 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C Ní Dhálaigh and seconded by Councillor Á Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 88/2017 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C Ní Dhálaigh and seconded by Councillor Á Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 89/2017 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C Ni Dhálaigh and seconded by Councillor Á Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 91/2017 and assents to the proposal outlined therein” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor D Flanagan and seconded by Councillor M Flynn “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 81/2017”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor A Connaghan and seconded by Councillor J Boylan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 82/2017”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor L O’Toole and seconded by Councillor R McGinley “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 75/2017”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor R McAdam and seconded by Councillor N Ring “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 78/2017”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor C Burke and seconded by Councillor D Flanagan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 94/2017”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor T Keegan and seconded by Councillor A Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 90/2017”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor V Jackson and seconded by Councillor G Kelly “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 77/2017”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor D Lacey and seconded by Councillor P McCartan “That Dublin City Council adopts Report No 80/2017”. The motion was put and carried.

(a)        The City Council suspended Standing Orders to agree the following emergency             motion without debate:

“Ahead of International Women’s Day, the Council welcomes the Strike4Repeal initiative as a reminder of the stark reality of women’s inability to access abortion in Ireland.  We note the support given by the Council to the repeal of the 8th amendment in September 2015, as follows:

That Dublin City Council,

• Noting the welcome passing of the marriage equality referendum by a wide margin reflecting a qualitative shift in public opinion in favour of progressive social change particularly among the youth and working class communities where the highest 'Yes' votes were recorded and

• Further noting recent reports from Amnesty International and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights critiquing Ireland's highly restrictive abortion laws,

Calls on the government to hold a referendum to repeal the eighth amendment of the Constitution.

The Council calls on Dublin City Council management, as a major employer in Dublin City, to ensure any workers who wish to participate in the strike by taking an annual day of leave are facilitated to do so, and that any workplace events in support of the strike be given the support of management.”

Submitted in the names of Councillors R. Moynihan, N. Reilly, G. Gannon, É. Ryan, C. Perry, M. O’Brien, G. Kelly, J. Boylan, M. Freehill, H. De Nortúin, C. Byrne, E. Murphy, J. Lyons, E. Moran, C. Burke, S. Stapleton, C. Cuffe and T. MacVeigh

(b) The City Council suspended Standing Orders to agree the following emergency motion without debate:

“The Elected Members of Dublin City Council note with concern that the site of the former Magdalene Laundry on Sean McDermott Street has been advertised as 'For Sale' to private development without the implementation of Justice Quirke's accepted recommendation that a memorial be placed at the site which would 'honour and commemorate the Magdalene women past and present.'

Accordingly, the Elected Members of this City Council requests that Dublin City Council commits to convening and consulting with a committee of Magdalene survivors, with a view to establishing a memorial at the site of the council owned Sean McDermott Street convent, as recommended by the Quirke Commission and promised by the Government as part of the Magdalene restorative justice scheme.”

Submitted in the names of Councillors C Ní Dhálaigh, J. Boylan, E. Moran, R. McHugh and G. Kelly

Motion 1         COUNCILLOR ALISON GILLILAND                                 

Received: 20/01/2016 & Amended: 20/02/2017

That Dublin City Council Members acknowledge the key role DCC as a Local Authority needs to play in increasinghousing supply so as to significantly reduce social housing waiting lists in our jurisdiction, to allow those in emergency homeless accommodation transition into housing and to facilitate the provision of units for private rental and purchase needs. Dublin City Council Members also acknowledge the current capital funding and human resource/personnel constrains under which this Local Authority is operating. Notwithstanding and recognising DCC led housing projects and initiatives currently in train, Dublin City Council Members insist that this Local Authority pursue a proactive and impatient programme of:

a)     repair and lease of currently vacant and derelict private residential units including those of smaller size than the current definition of 'vacant'

b)     bringing DCC owned vacant and derelict sites into productive residential within a target timeline of 3 years

c)     increase by at least 150% the average number of monthly Compulsory Purchase Orders being issued and produce a bi-monthly report on same

d)     devise planning and architectural prototypes for the conversion of vacant space over shops into residential living units or commercial spaces depending on appropriateness of the space and immediate area, establish a DCC one-stop-shop support facility for shop owners to undertake such conversions and call on government to make available a conversion grant for shop owners so as to support the halving of the no. of vacant units over shops by half over the next 3 years

e)     introduce an incremental DCC vacant residential property rate for all residential units vacant for more than 12 months

f)       consider, given the large number of student residences being built, the viability of a grant to homeowners who are currently renting a room or a house to students to upgrade their home for rental to families to allow them qualify for HAP tenancies

g)     demand a comprehensive capital funding package from the Department of Housing,  Planning and Local Government along with funding for the recruitment of additional expert personnel to our Planning and Housing Departments to facilitate the delivery of the above projects in a timely manner and should such funding not be forthcoming that Dublin City Council Members be fully informed.    

Motion 2         MOTION FROM THE NORTH CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE FROM THEIR DECEMBER MEETING                                                                            Received: 22/12/2015

That this Area Committee agrees that we are concerned, land zoned Z15, the ‘open for consideration’ use in the current Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017, is being improperly used for excessive residential development proposals.  This is not the intention of the ‘open for consideration’ use which is set out very clearly in the Development Plan:

An ‘open for consideration’ use is one which may be permitted where the planning authority is satisfied that the proposed development would be compatible with the overall policies and objectives for the zone, would not have undesirable effects on permitted uses, and would otherwise be consistent with the proper planning and sustainable  ...  view the full agenda text for item 37.

“That Dublin City Council Members acknowledge the key role DCC as a Local Authority needs to play in increasing housing supply so as to significantly reduce social housing waiting lists in our jurisdiction, to allow those in emergency homeless accommodation transition into housing and to facilitate the provision of units for private rental and purchase needs. Dublin City Council Members also acknowledge the current capital funding and human resource/personnel constrains under which this Local Authority is operating. Notwithstanding and recognising DCC led housing projects and initiatives currently in train, Dublin City Council members insist that this Local Authority pursue a proactive and impatient programme of:

a)         repair and lease of currently vacant and derelict private residential units      including those of smaller size than the current definition of 'vacant'

b)         bringing DCC owned vacant and derelict sites into productive residential     within a target timeline of 3 years

c)         increase by at least 150% the average number of monthly Compulsory        Purchase Orders being issued and produce a bi-monthly report on same

d)         devise planning and architectural prototypes for the conversion of vacant    space over shops into residential living units or commercial spaces depending   on appropriateness of the space and immediate area, establish a DCC one-     stop-shop support facility for shop owners to undertake such conversions and    call on government to make available a conversion grant for shop owners so as to support the halving of the no. of vacant units over shops by half over the             next 3 years

e)         introduce an incremental DCC vacant residential property rate for all            residential units vacant for more than 12 months

f)          consider, given the large number of student residences being built, the        viability of a grant to homeowners who are currently renting a room or a           house to students to upgrade their home for rental to families to allow them          qualify for HAP tenancies

g)         demand a comprehensive capital funding package from the Department of Housing,  Planning and Local Government along with funding for the   recruitment of additional expert personnel to our Planning and Housing          Departments to facilitate the delivery of the above projects in a timely manner      and should such funding not be forthcoming that Dublin City Council     Members be fully informed.    

            Following discussion, it was agreed to amend the motion to delete the point in             relation to CPOs so therefore the following amended motion was agreed by            the City Council.

            “That Dublin City Council Members acknowledge the key role DCC as a Local             Authority needs to play in increasing housing supply so as to significantly    reduce social housing waiting lists in our jurisdiction, to allow those in          emergency homeless accommodation transition into housing and to facilitate         the provision of units for private rental and purchase needs. Dublin City          Council Members also acknowledge the current capital funding and human      resource/personnel constrains under which this Local Authority is operating.    Notwithstanding and recognising DCC led housing projects and initiatives             currently in train, Dublin City Council Members insist that this Local Authority             pursue a proactive and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

“That this Area Committee agrees that we are concerned, land zoned Z15, the ‘open for consideration’ use in the current Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017, is being improperly used for excessive residential development proposals.  This is not the intention of the ‘open for consideration’ use which is set out very clearly in the Development Plan: An ‘open for consideration’ use is one which may be permitted where the planning authority is satisfied that the proposed development would be compatible with the overall policies and objectives for the zone, would not have undesirable effects on permitted uses, and would otherwise be consistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”. The motion was put and carried.

“This Council calls for a review of the voter register for all elections. We are calling that all citizens should be registered by their PPS Number and that it should kick in on their 18th birthday” An amendment “To replace the word ‘citizens’ with the word ‘residents’ was put forward by Councillor M O’Brien and seconded by Councillor D Lacey. The amended motion was put and carried.

“Having regard to the cost of providing a free household bulk waste collection (as detailed in the Chief Executive's answer to my Question No. 98 of September 2016 council meeting)  and the income due to DCC from the NTA in respect of loss of parking bay income (as detailed in my Questions No 81 of January 2016, No.69 of June 2016 and Q76 of October 2016), the Members instruct the Chief Executive to immediately reinstate the citywide junk collection for all 160,000 residences in the city on a two year rather than the previous three year cycle, and that the Members further agree that in order to pay for this service, the City Council undertakes to realise and ring fence the lost income of approx. €1.8m per annum due from the NRA in respect of loss of income (due to Luas works) from the c.400 permanently removed DCC parking bays in the city” The motion was put and carried.

“That Dublin City Council agrees that clearways which allow parking up to a certain time be delineated in such a way that motorists (who normally would not park in a clearway), would be made aware that they are parking in a location that will become a clearway at a certain time”. The motion was put and carried.