Agenda item

(a)   “Dublin City Council notes that 3,635 housing applicants were removed from the housing list. We call on the management to review these applicants to ensure every effort is made to contact these people and to reinstate their application where possible”

Submitted in the name of CouncillorsD Doolan, J Boylan, G Kelly, C Ni Dhalaigh, E Moran, M MacDonncha, L O’Toole, N Reilly, E Murphy, R Mc Hugh

(b)   “That Dublin City Council management re-engage with the Ambulance Forum with a view to achieving an agreed resolution to the responsibility and organisation of Dublin Fire Brigade Emergency Medical Services call-taking and dispatch, in particular that Dublin City Council management participate in a full and meaningful discussion regarding the proposed technical recommendations to enable DFB EMS and NAS to communicate safely and effectively and so maximises the utilisation of all emergency ambulances available across Dublin city and county”

Submitted in the names of CouncillorsA Gilliland, J Lyons, N Ring, P Mc Auliffe, E Ryan, P Hand,  C Ni Dhalaigh, P Costello, T Brabazon, R McHugh, M O’Brien, N Reilly, D Doolan, L O’Toole, J Boylan, G Kelly and E Moran

(c)   In light of the ongoing planning process surrounding the Clerys site, the Members of Dublin City Council wish to reiterate, repeat and restate their continued support for pervious motions passed in relation to this iconic building and business. They also wish to highlight the need for any plan concerning the future development of the site to properly adhere to, having regard to the Dublin City Council Scheme of Special Planning Control for O’Connell Street and Environs.

The Members of Dublin City Council, at a Special Meeting held on 29th June 2015 to discuss the Clerys issue, agreed motions which contained the following clauses that continue to have the support of this Council:

• This Council confirms by this resolution that it will not agree to alter the use of the entire Clerys building because of the iconic status of Clerys and resolves that it must continue to be used as retail space which is an essential part of the retail experience of the city centre and that change of use is not appropriate and will not be entertained.
• DCC calls on the Government to amend company law to protect our economy and society.
• Dublin City Council calls on the Directors of Natrium to meet with Clerys staff and their trade union representatives to discuss the liquidation of the company, the manner of the liquidation and its impact on the loyal workforce.
• Dublin City Council calls on Natrium to guarantee employment of the current workforce in any new development.
• Dublin City Council demands the Government to review and amend current legislation, including Protection of Employees Act and the Companies Act, with a view to ensuring the unacceptable treatment of Clerys staff cannot be repeated again.
• That Dublin City Council refuses to grant any “change of use” planning application in respect of the Clerys Store on O’Connell Street to Natrium (the new owners of the Clerys store) unless the company meet with workers representatives to discuss securing jobs and/or compensation by way of enhanced redundancy payments to the former employees of Clerys.

The Members of this Council also state our continuing and full support for the vision statement of the Scheme of Special Planning Control O’Connell Street and Environs which is:

 “To re?establish O’Connell Street and environs as a place of importance in the social and cultural life of citizens and visitors, where buildings and their uses reflect a civic dignity and pride, and property owners and occupiers acknowledge their obligations as stakeholders and workers are assured fair working conditions in this area of special significance to the Irish Nation.”

In order to advance this vision, we, the Members of Dublin City Council call for:

·        The establishment of codified protocols in relation to the implementation of commitments exchanged between the proposed developers of the Clerys site and Dublin City Council in relation to the training in apprenticeships and other employment programmes, as well as recruitment of local residents so they can be employed in both the construction and operational phases of the development.

·        The designation of a cultural space within the development to enable displays/performances relating to the site and local area. This space should be open to and free to use for local civic, social and community organisations.

The Members of Dublin City Council believe that by the adoption and proper monitoring of the implementation of the above measures, the narrative of Clerys can be restored to being one of a positive contribution to our city rather than one that continues to be overshadowed by the dark chapter that was its sudden closure, with the resultant mistreatment of its workforce and customers.

In light of the above statements, the Members of Dublin City Council call on the Chief Executive and the Lord Mayor to immediately meet with all the investors/ owners of the Clerys Site and relate the concerns, suggestions and proposals of the Members of Dublin City Council, as articulated in the motions passed at the Special Meeting of the Council on 29th June 2015 and reproduced above, and request that these investors/owners take appropriate action to address these concerns, suggestions and proposals.

Submitted in the names of CouncillorsN Ring, D Lacey, C O’Moore, M O’Brien, E Ryan and J Lyons,