Agenda and minutes

Order: Agreed

Order: Noted and Recommended to Council

Order: Report noted and referred to the Planning and Property Development SPC for their consideration.

“That this protocol committee initiates a full review of the procedures with regards the handing back of the Honorary Freedom of the City in order to establish a clear guideline and protocol for any event that may arise in the future.”

“That this Protocol Committee initiates a full review of the procedures with regards the handing back of the Honorary Freedom of the City in order to establish a clear guideline and protocol for any event that may arise in the future.”

Order: The motion was seconded by Cllr. Anne Feeney and was agreed. The Manager to provide a report to the Protocol Committee, outlining draft guidelines for the return of the Honorary Freedom of the City.

“That this Protocol Committee agrees that item No. 13 of DCC's own formal Part 8 procedures should be changed to the following;

Before any project is presented to Council, the final report shall be presented at the Local Area Committee meeting informing them of the intention to present the proposal to the City Council and advising them that the process for approval of a Part 8 is a reserved function of the City Council.” 

Order: It was agreed that the motion be referred to the Planning and Property Development SPC to be considered in conjunction with the report on the Part 8 Procedures as discussed in item 3.  

“That this area committee calls on Dublin City Council to treat the Proclamation of 1916 with respect and dignity that it deserves and afford it a permanent fixed position within the Rotunda of the City Hall.

Further, that a proper copy of the proclamation be commissioned perhaps by an artist as opposed to the adhoc plastic stand alone lit-box that is being used in the Rotunda of the City Hall at the moment. At present the proclamation lit-box is thrown around the Rotunda depending on what event is happening. Last night it was dispensed with behind a load of catering and the light turned off. This is happening on a regular basis and it is unacceptable.

It is now time that the proclamation be given a permanent position on the walls of the rotunda and that a proper copy of the proclamation be made. There was a motion passed at this committee last year that would see the removal of the Anne Madden triptych and the installation of the Proclamation in that prominent place. The Anne Madden work has been in the Rotunda in City Hall for many years now and it could well do with being removed as there are many complaints about this work and the appropriateness of this work in this historic building.”

Order: The Manager informed the Committee that the Chief Executive was undertaking a review of the uses of City Hall Exhibition Space, Palace Street and the Rates Offices and it was agreed by the Members that the issues raised by Cllr. Flynn’s motions could be addressed within that process.

“That this committee of the South East Area agrees that no portraits or symbols other than the national flag and the flag of Dublin city should be permitted in the Council Chamber and that all portraits be removed as is best practice in other democracies. The Council Chamber should always be free of undue influences and at present the Council Chamber has many portraits, all male. This in itself is an act of inequality. These portraits should be removed perhaps to the rotunda or be returned to the Hugh Lane Gallery where they would be much appropriate. A neutral chamber should always be our aim and our best practice.”

Order: Refer to item 6

Order: The Manager informed Members that the following work would be undertaken in City Hall in 2018:

·        Provision of the Parenting Room (January)

·        Refurbishment of the Ladies 1^st floor toilet (January)

·        New Kitchen and office facilities in Supper Room annex (February)

·        Window reveal repair along front  elevation to Dame Street (January)

·        Painting of the Council Chamber (August)

·        Repairs to perimeter Iron Work (Ongoing)

The Manager also informed the Committee that works on disabled access to City Hall and the Rates Office would commence in 2018 in line with the Part 8 approved by Council.

The Lord Mayor informed Members that significant works regarding disabled access were being carried out in the Mansion House and that he would provide an update to the next Protocol Committee meeting.

Order: The Manager informed Members on the following issues:

·        2018 Pocket Diaries have been sourced and issued to all Councillors. The Manager to bring a report before the Committee with regards future provision of the pocket diary.  

·        An assessment of the effect of GDPR on Council questions was being carried out, following which a report would issue to the Committee.

·        The Members were informed the IPB does not provide professional indemnity to Councillors with regards transgressions under data protection regulations. Cllr. Dermot Lacey to raise the matter with IPB.

·        The Catalan Flag was now flying over City Hall. The Flags subcommittee is due to meet on 10^th January and would report back to the committee once it has completed its review.

The Chair of the Protocol Committee, Cllr. Deirdre Heney in consultation with the Ardmhéara, recommended that Mr James Connolly be appointed as Senior Council to provide an outside legal opinion on the process surrounding the Clontarf to City Centre Cycleway Part 8 Application.

Order: The Committee accepted this recommendation and it was agreed that any Councillor who wished to make an observation or submission on the matter should do so by Friday 26th January 2018. Submissions should be made directly to the Law Agent, Mr. Terrence O’Keeffe. The Manager to circulate to all Members.

Order: Agreed.