Agenda and minutes

·        The Lord Mayor opened the meeting by welcoming everyone back after the summer break and extending congratulations to Councillor Ray McAdam who got married over the summer.

·        The Lord Mayor then proposed a resolution to adjourn the meeting at 4.30pm to accommodate Members who wished to attend the Civic Reception in the Mansion House for the Dublin Gaelic Football team who became All Ireland Champions for a fourth successive year. This resolution was seconded by Cllr Mannix Flynn and it was agreed that the meeting would be adjourned to Thursday 13^th September to commence after the conclusion of the Special Meeting on the Local Property Tax.   

·        The Lord Mayor took the opportunity to reiterate Dublin City Councils support for a directly elected mayor, responsible for the four Dublin region local authorities. He then read the following submission into the record:

“In the short time that I have been the City's First Citizen I have seen at first hand the need for a directly elected mayor for the Capital.

I was concerned, but not surprised to read recent reports that plans are to be brought to Cabinet to allow Cork to be the first City to have a directly elected mayor. This proposal flies in the face of the tendency throughout Europe to strengthen institutions of metropolitan governance and planning in Capital Cities, reflecting their status as the primary drivers of economic growth. Key sectors, major multinational and indigenous firms typically headquarter in capital cities, and Dublin is no exception.

A recent paper written by Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at University College London, Prof. John Tomaney and Assoc. Professor of Urban Government and Development at UCD, Niamh Moore-Cherry outlines the reasons why Ireland, reflected by Central Government, suffers from "Metrophobia".

Whilst most central governments throughout Europe and beyond, actively promote large city regions, thus reinforcing the importance of the metropolitan scale in the planning of land use, infrastructure and public services, the failure to promote and reform metropolitan governance in the Dublin region has resulted in dysfunctional urban and regional planning.

I do welcome the fact that Cabinet is finally addressing the issue of directly elected mayors but it is clear to me that while Dublin dominates the National Economy (48% of GDP) it continues to occupy an ambivalent place in the mindset of central government, as proven by this latest anti Dublin bias.

The fact that there has never been a Minister for Urban affairs but a Minister for Rural and Community Development occupies a cabinet position reflects the high degree of governmental centralisation with few powers and little financial autonomy afforded to local government, the LPT take and retention rate being an obvious example of the latter.

Due entirely to Government Policy and its lack of appreciation of the dominant position of Dublin vis a vis the National Economy, we have ended up with weak and competitive local government, particularly in the Dublin region, ensuring that the model in the region rewards competition rather than  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

It was moved by Councillor R McAdam and seconded by Councillor P Bourke “That Dublin City Council approves the Dublin Chief Executive answering the questions lodged”. The motion having been put and carried, written answers to the 124 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 McGinley and seconded by Councillor R McAdam “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of this letter and that it be referred to the Protocol Committee for consideration”. The motion was put and carried.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The minutes of the Annual Meeting of the City Council held on 25^th June 2018 and the Monthly Meeting of the City Council held on the 2^nd July 2018, having been printed, certified by the Meetings Administrator, circulated to the Members and taken as read, were signed by the Lord Mayor.

It was moved by Councillor S. McGrattan and seconded by Councillor C. O’Moore “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 207/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor S. McGrattan and seconded by Councillor C. O’Moore “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 208/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor S. McGrattan and seconded by Councillor N. O’Muiri “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 222/2018 and hereby approves the borrowing requirement as set out therein, subject to the sanction of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government” The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Cllr T. McVeigh and seconded by Cllr P. Hand “that Cllr Hazel De Nortúin be appointed to represent Dublin City Council on the Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership.” The motion was put and carried. A second nominee was also proposed and seconded but he later withdrew.

It was agreed to defer this item to the October City Council meeting.

It was proposed by Lord Mayor Nial Ring and seconded by Cllr M. Flynn “that Lord Mayor Nial Ring and Cllr A. Clancy would be re-appointed to represent Dublin City Council on the Grangegorman Consultative Group.” The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McGinley and seconded by Councillor S. McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 240/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Cllr M. Flynn and seconded by Cllr R. McAdam “that Dublin City Council hereby resolves to hold a Special Meeting on September 13^th 2018 at 3pm to consider requests for nominations it receives from persons wishing to contest the 2018 Presidential Election. The Council may, at its discretion, make a resolution to nominate a candidate”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McGinley and seconded by Councillor C. O’Moore “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 209/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor D. Doolan and seconded by Councillor R. McAdam “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 233/2018”. The motion was put and carried. It was further agreed that the Lord Mayor would write to Minister of State Catherine Byrne asking her to clarify her comments regarding the St. Michael’s Estate re-development.

It was moved by Councillor R. McGinley and seconded by Councillor N. O’Muiri “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 196/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

The following amendment to report 211/2018 was proposed by Cllrs C. Byrne, C. Cuffe, D. Lacey, G. Fagan and S. Stapleton:

“Dublin City Councillors fully understand the need to expand and upgrade the facilities at the Waste Water Treatment Plant in Ringsend in order to meet demand. However the proposal to include lands referenced C1, which are within the Poolbeg West SDZ boundary, which is currently under review by An Bord Pleanala, needs to be reconsidered.

Dublin City Councillors note that the proposal includes the temporary use of this land to service the building works during the upgrade, but also note that it is important that this does not prejudice the future potential use of these lands.

During the Poolbeg West SDZ planning process, Councillors voted to specifically zone this land to accommodate a range of uses, including creative uses that would facilitate alternative economic uses such as the building of Dublin Bay Studios. Dublin Port Company also repeatedly stated during this process that this land was of significant importance to their own operations. Both organisations have made written appeals to An Bord Pleanala in this regard. However, it is now proposed that Dublin Port Company lease this land to Irish Water for 10 years.

To override such a specific zoning that was agreed by Dublin City Councillors, and to effectively sterilise these lands and block any potential development that would be of significant economic importance to the City, undermines the democratic process of the City. 

Therefore Dublin City Councillors request that the zoning agreed by us during the Poolbeg West SDZ should be upheld, no decision should take place until after An Bord Pleanala has made a decision with regards to Poolbeg West SDZ, that the outcome of that decision is taken into consideration when making a decision on this application and that alternative lands to facilitate the upgrade works for the Ringsend Waste Water Treatment plant be explored.”

The Motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor C. Burke and seconded by Councillor M. Flynn “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 211/2018 as amended.” The motion was put and carried.

The following addendum to Report No 212/2018 was proposed by Cllrs T. Brabazon, L. O’Toole, E. Moran, S.P. Mahon, D. Heney, M. MacDonncha, C. O’Moore, P. Bourke, D. Flanagan, N. O’Muiri and A. Gilliland:

“We believe that the proposed sewerage treatment plant at Clonshaugh will be seriously injurious to residential amenity in the City Council area.  We believe that the size and scale of the project is not in keeping with proper planning and development in that it will undermine future housing development and job creation and retention in the area.  The project will be injurious to local wildlife and remove productive farmland, GAA club and pitches.  It will contravene the Habitats Directive and by its nature and size will offend against the well established EU Proximity Principle. There are also very serious concerns about outflow into Dublin Bay into Malahide Estuary which could have a negative impact on the UNESCO Biosphere in Dublin Bay and Bull Island.” The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McGinley and seconded by Councillor V. Jackson “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 212/2018 and hereby agrees that the addendum be attached to the report for submission. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McGinley and seconded by Councillor M. Flynn “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 215/2018 and hereby resolves to make Dublin City Council Casual Trading (Fees) Bye-Laws 2018 as outlined in the report”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McAdam and seconded by Councillor V. Jackson “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 213/2018 and hereby approves the payment of the Arts Bursaries as outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor V. Jackson and seconded by Councillor R. McAdam “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 216/2018 and approves the addition of 30, 32, 33 and 36 Thomas Street, Dublin 8 to the Record of Protected Structures in accordance with Section 54 and 55 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor V. Jackson and seconded by Councillor R. McAdam “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 217/2018 and approves the addition of Saint George’s Cemetery, Whitworth Road, Dublin 9 to the Record of Protected Structures in accordance with Section 54 and 55 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor V. Jackson and seconded by Councillor R. McAdam “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 217/2018 and approves the addition of 4 Meeting House Lane, (Mary’s Abbey), Dublin 7 to the Record of Protected Structures in accordance with Section 54 and 55 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor V. Jackson and seconded by Councillor R. McAdam “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 217/2018 and approves the Addition of 58 Abbey Street Middle, Dublin 1 to the Record of Protected Structures in accordance with Section 54 and 55 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000”. The motion was put and carried.

“It is hereby resolved that we, the Lord Mayor and members of Dublin City Council, being the Road Authority for the City of Dublin declare the roads and footpaths at 1-8 St. David's Court, Artane, Dublin 5 to be public roads and footpaths as shown on Drawing R.M. 36568A in accordance with Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.”

It was moved by Councillor D. Flanagan and seconded by Councillor R. McGinley “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 224/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor D. Flanagan and seconded by Councillor S. McGrattan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 225/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor V. Jackson and seconded by Councillor R. McGinley “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 226/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McGinley and seconded by Councillor C. Burke “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 227/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor P. McCarten and seconded by Councillor R. McGinley “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 228/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McAdam and seconded by Councillor A. Conaghan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 229/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor D. Flanagan and seconded by Councillor R. McAdam “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 230/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor M. McGinley and seconded by Councillor M. Flynn “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 231/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor J. Lyons and seconded by Councillor M. O’Brien to defer this disposal. The motion was put to a vote and was defeated. (See appendix B for results.)

It was moved by Councillor R. McGinley and seconded by Councillor C. O’Moore “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 234/2018 and assents to the proposal outlined therein”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor D. Flanagan and seconded by Councillor R. McGinley “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 221/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor V. Jackson and seconded by Councillor G. Kelly “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 201/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McAdam and seconded by Councillor D. Lacey “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 214/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor V. Jackson and seconded by Councillor N. Reilly “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 199/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor D. Flanagan and seconded by Councillor C. Burke “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 232/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor N. O’Muiri and seconded by Councillor C. O’Moore “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 223/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor A. Feeney and seconded by Councillor R. McGinley “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 200/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McAdam and seconded by Councillor G. Fagan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 203/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor C. O’Moore and seconded by Councillor A. Conaghan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 210/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor C. O’Moore and seconded by Councillor A. Conaghan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 235/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor D. Costello and seconded by Councillor A. Conaghan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 205/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor V. Jackson and seconded by Councillor D. Flanagan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 206/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor L. O’Toole and seconded by Councillor A. Clancy “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 198/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor E. Moran and seconded by Councillor C. O’Moore “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 204/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

It was moved by Councillor R. McHugh and seconded by Councillor D. Flanagan “That Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No 210/2018”. The motion was put and carried.

Motion Number 1:

It was proposed by Cllr G. Gannon and seconded by Cllr J. Lyons:

“That following the repeated recommendations of the United Nations Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) that the Irish State should undertake a thorough and impartial investigation into ill-treatment of girls and women at the Magdalene Laundries, promote greater access to archival information regarding the Magdalene Laundries and fully implement the outstanding recommendations of Mr Justice Quirke, including services for survivors and memorialisation, the elected members of Dublin City Council (DCC) consider it entirely inappropriate that DCC is currently offering the Magdalene Laundry site at Sean McDermott Street for sale to private developers. The elected members of DCC are also concerned that, despite it being the first recommendation of Mr Justice Ryan's Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, a memorial to those abused in residential schools has never been created.

We hereby request a halt to the sale of the Magdalene Laundry site at Sean McDermott Street. We welcome the creation of the Lord Mayor's Commission and look forward to receiving its recommendations regarding the appropriate use of the site.”

An amendment to this motion (Appendix C) was proposed by Councillor J. Boylan and seconded by the Sinn Fein Group. This amendment was put to a vote and was defeated. (See appendix D for results.)

The motion as originally proposed by Councillor G. Gannon was put to a vote and was carried. (See appendix E for results.)