Agenda and minutes

The Lord Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and wished them a happy new year.

He congratulated Richard Shakespeare on his recent appointment as Chief Executive and advised members that the Chief Executive will be meeting with all political groups on the Council before the February City Council meeting.

Donation Statements

Members were reminded of the deadline of 31^st January for return of their Annual Donations statements to Ruth Dowling or Natalie Leonard.

Approval of Seminar  

The Lord Mayor sought the approval of Members for attendance at the Association of Irish Regions Seminar taking place on 7^th & 8^th February 2024.  Agreed.

It was moved by Councillor Vincent Jackson and seconded by Councillor Cat O’Driscoll that Dublin City Council approves the Dublin Chief Executive answering the questions lodged. The motion having been put and carried, written answers to the questions lodged for the City Council meeting were issued. The Questions and Answers are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

·         Clare County Council

·         Limerick City and County Council

It was proposed by Councillor Séamas McGrattan and seconded by Councillor Terence Flanagan that Dublin City Council notes the contents of all correspondence listed. The motion was put and carried.

The minutes of the City Council meeting held on the 4^th December 2023 and the Special Council Meeting on the 19^th December 2023 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 the Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste and seconded by Cat O’Driscoll that pursuant to Standing Order 39.1. the members meet in the absence of the media and the general public for part of the Council meeting for the purposes of receiving legal advice in private from Stephen Dodd SC on the judicial review of the Council’s decision to defend a Judicial Review of the Development Plan concerning the zoning of lands located in Chapelizod, Dublin 20 in the matter of Pat O’Donnell & Company v Dublin City Council 2022/1096JR (Lands at Chapelizod). The motion was put and carried.

The meeting administrator then requested that the webcast and Zoom recording be paused and that all members of the public and media leave the Chamber for the duration of the discussion.

Stephen Dodd, Senior Counsel briefed the members on the proceedings andprovided clarification on the issues they raised during the discussion. He also provided an update on other Judicial Review proceedings of the Dublin City Council Development Plan.

On the conclusion of the briefing the meetings administrator requested that the Webcast and Zoom recording be restarted and invited members of the public and media to re-join the meeting.

The following motion was then proposed by Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha and seconded by Councillor Declan Meenagh that:

“Pursuant to Section 153 (2) of the Local Government Act 2001 the elected members give express authorisation to the Chief Executive to defend a Judicial Review of the Development Plan concerning the zoning of lands located in Chapelizod, Dublin 20 in the matter of Pat O’Donnell & Company v Dublin City Council 2022/1096JR (Lands at Chapelizod). The motion was put and carried.

Cllr. Flynn requested that his abstention be noted.

It was proposed by Councillor Séamas McGrattan and seconded by Councillor Naoise Ó Muirí that the members of the authority having considered the proposed variation and the Chief Executive’s Report, and the issues raised, the proper planning and sustainable development of the City, the statutory obligations of the local authority and the relevant policies or objectives of the Government or of any Minister of the Government; the City Council resolves that Variation No. 2 of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 is hereby made and that the necessary notices of the making of Variation No. 2 of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 be published. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Vincent Jackson and seconded by Councillor Mannix Flynn that members of the authority having considered the proposed variation and the Chief Executive’s Report, and the issues raised, the proper planning and sustainable development of the City, the statutory obligations of the local authority and the relevant policies or objectives of the Government or of any Minister of the Government; the City Council resolves that Variation No. 3 of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 is hereby made and that the necessary notices of the making of Variation No. 3 of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 be published. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Cat O’Driscoll and seconded by Councillor Vincent Jackson that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 12/2024 and hereby approves the Arts Funding for 2024 as set out therein.  The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Vincent Jackson and seconded by Councillor Anthony Connaghan 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 the laneway to the rear of multiple properties at Harbour Court, Dublin 1 as shown on the attached Map SM 2023-0311 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.

Councillor Janet Horner, Councillor Donna Cooney and Councillor Deborah Byrne wished for their objections to the report be noted.

It was proposed by Councillor Pat Dunne and Seconded by Councillor Anthony Connaghan 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 the laneway to the rear of houses No. 2 and No.4 Nottingham Street, Dublin 1 as shown on the attached Map SM 2023-0533 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.

Cllr. Michael Pidgeon declared a conflict of interest and recused himself from the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Vincent Jackson and seconded by Councillor Séamas McGrattan that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 06/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

On conclusion of the decision Cllr. Pidgeon rejoined the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Terence Flanagan and seconded by Councillor Anthony Connaghan that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 23/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Naoise Ó Muirí and seconded by Councillor Vincent Jackson that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 24/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Anthony Connaghan and seconded by Councillor Terence Flanagan that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 31/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Anthony Connaghan and seconded by Councillor Terence Flanagan that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 22/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Anthony Connaghan and seconded by Councillor Terence Flanagan that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 25/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Vincent Jackson and seconded by Councillor Sophie Nicoullaud that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 26/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Naoise Ó Muirí and seconded by Councillor Terence Flanagan that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 32/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Dermot Lacey and seconded by Councillor Mannix Flynn that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 27/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

Councillor Donna Cooney declared a conflict of interest in respect of Report 28 and 29 and recused herself from the meeting for the discussion and decision on both items.

It was proposed by Councillor Dermot Lacey and seconded by Councillor Mannix Flynn that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 28/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Dermot Lacey and seconded by Councillor Mannix Flynn that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 29/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

Cllr Donna Cooney rejoined the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Mannix Flynn and seconded by Councillor Claire O’Connor that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 33/2024 and hereby assents to the proposal set out therein. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Anthony Connaghan and seconded by Councillor Daithí Doolan that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 13/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Michael Pidgeon and seconded by Councillor Alison Gilliland that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 18/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Michael Pigeon and seconded by Councillor Alison Gilliland that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 30/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was agreed that the Lord Mayor would write to the National Transport Authority in relation to the reduction in funding for Zebra Crossings. The issue will also be listed on the next meeting of the SPC on 7^th February 2024.

It was proposed by Councillor Terence Flanagan and seconded by Councillor Vincent Jackson that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 07/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Terence Flanagan and seconded by Councillor Naoise Ó Muirí that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 08/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste and seconded by Councillor Cat O’Driscoll that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 19/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste and seconded by Councillor Cat O’Driscoll that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 20/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Vincent Jackson and seconded by Councillor Mícheál MacDonncha that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 11/2023. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Anthony Connaghan and seconded by Councillor Cat O’Driscoll that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 15/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Terence Flanagan and seconded by Councillor Declan Meenagh that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 04/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Terence Flanagan and seconded by Councillor Declan Meenagh that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 05/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Máire Devine and seconded by Councillor Vincent Jackson that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 09/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Cat O’Driscoll and seconded by Councillor Dermot Lacey that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 34/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Cat O’Driscoll and seconded by Councillor Dermot Lacey that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 35/2024. The motion was put and carried.

Councillor James Geoghegan raised a query in relation to item no. 10 of Report No. 35/2024 Chatham Row seeking clarity on the decision made in relation to a lease of the property by the subcommittee and whether or not that decision will come before the full council.  It was confirmed by the Chair of the Arts SPC, Cat O’Driscoll that the committee are awaiting legal advice in relation to an appeal.  Update expected for the next SPC meeting.   It was further affirmed by the Chief Executive that any decision regarding a lease or disposal of a property must come before the council by way of a Section 183 statutory process. 

It was proposed by Councillor Anthony Connaghan and seconded by Councillor Declan Meenagh that Dublin City Council notes the contents of Report No. 10/2024. The motion was put and carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Deirdre Heney and seconded by Councillor Declan Meenagh that Dublin City Council adopts the contents of Report No.21/2024. The motion was put and carried.

No topical issues were submitted for consideration.

Motion No. 1.  It was proposed by Councillor Daithí Doolan and seconded by Councillor Janice Boylan that the following motion in their names be taken without debate:

“Dublin City begins the year 2024 in the wake of the events of 23 November 2023. The cruel attack and injury of three children and an adult at Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire and the deplorable rioting and looting which followed, shocked our City.

However, six weeks on, we resolve to continue to build with determination on what is best in our City. The  solidarity with those who were injured; the courage and diligence of front-line emergency and other workers, including Dublin City Council workers; the unity in opposition to the far right elements who sought to use the tragedy to stir up hatred; all these positives point to the way forward.

Therefore Dublin City Council resolves to:

• Work with all relevant public bodies and stakeholders, including the Garda Síochána and Government departments, to improve community safety and confidence in all parts of our City

• Continue to enhance our City centre as the hub of Dublin’s commerce and culture and to make it a welcoming place for all, both day and night

• Give civic leadership to improve our City for all who live here, in all our diversity, and all who visit.

We note that Dublin City will be made safer if agencies, including Gardaí, youth services, drug services and mental health services work with communities to deliver the change that is so urgently required. To this end Dublin City Council seeks an urgent meeting with the Minster for Justice, the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Health to discuss:

• Establishment of public transport policing on the DART, Luas, Irish Rail and Dublin Bus,

• Improving resourcing to support the work of community Gardaí and an increase in new Youth Diversion Projects

• Addressing and seeking to resolve issues which lead to loss of Gardaí from the service in Dublin, such as the cost of living, especially housing

• Increasing funding and resources to drug rehabilitation programmes and mental health services in areas of high demand.”

Agreed.

There was one emergency motion in the name of Councillor Ray McAdam accepted for debate:

“That the Elected Members of Dublin City Council utterly condemn the senseless vandalism and the anti-social behaviour that has once again wreaked havoc in Fairview Park over the weekend. Communities from within the North Inner City are again questioning whether they can use the park, whether families are safe while there and Inner City sports clubs have been left without playing pitches leaving the our young soccer players unable to play the game they love. The communities I represent in the North Inner City, who are regular users of Fairview Park, want to know what Dublin City Council and An Garda Siochana are doing to better protect Dubliners who use this northside amenity.

Therefore, I am calling on the Chief Executive to:

1.    Clarify what plans the Parks Department has to improve or enhance Fairview Park between now and 2030.

2.    Confirm if the Teas Rooms proposals are proceeding.

3.    Review the effectiveness of the path installed in the park and thereby reduced the availability of playing pitches for North Inner City clubs.

4.    Work and liaise with clubs like Sheriff YC to identify alternative playing pitches that their young soccer stars can play and utilise while the damaged pitches are repaired and ensure those repairs are carried out within the next month.

5.    Provide bi-monthly updates to the Central Area Committee on the progress made in respect of each of these matters given that the park is located in the North Central Area.

Separately, the Elected Members of Dublin City Council calls upon the Assistant Garda Commissioner for the DMR to prioritise the initiation and implementation of a cross-Divisional policing plan to counteract the ability of cars to access and enter Fairview Park, tackle the drug dealing occurring within the Park and to utilise new legislation to seize scrambler bikes and those using them to terrorise Dubliners who wish to use Fairview Park individually, with their families or with sporting clubs.

The Elected Members of Dublin City Council are determined to ensure that Fairview Park can be enjoyed by all safely and without the fear currently felt by many of my constituents who use this park.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Ray McAdam and seconded by Councillor Naoise Ó Muirí.  The motion was put and carried.

Councillor Tara Deacy, Chair of the Joint Policing Committee confirmed that she would bring the issues raised to their next meeting.

The Manager noted that repairs to the pitch are underway.  He also committed to  work with E&T in relation to illegal access of vehicles to the Park.  Parks will contact Clontarf Gardaí requesting assistance and support in relation to the issues raised and meet with Sheriff YC.  He also confirmed that the Part 8 planning is in place for the tea rooms and that the Part 8 for the Library will be issued later this year.