Dublin needs funding to match vision of City Taskforce – Geoghegan

The Government must allocate the funding needed to implement the recommendations of the Dublin City Taskforce, according to Fine Gael’s spokesperson for Dublin.

Today, Fine Gael is launching its vision for Dublin city and is seeking a full implementation of the report of the Dublin City Taskforce.

Last year then Taoiseach Simon Harris established the Taskforce which had the objective of developing recommendations to rejuvenate and revitalise Dublin.

In a document published today (Thursday, June 17^th)  titled ‘Building a better Dublin’, Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan is outlining further measures he wants Government to consider to improve the lives of people who live and work in Dublin.

Deputy Geoghegan, who represents Dublin Bay South, said: “Fine Gael has outlined its vision for our capital city. Through the Dublin City Taskforce, we will rejuvenate the city centre for all those who work, socialise and visit there.

“It is essential this vision is now matched by money. The National Development Plan is being negotiated and it is essential there is ringfenced budget for the implementation of the taskforce’s recommendations.”

Deputy Geoghegan is launching a wide-ranging consultation with Fine Gael members and public representatives from every Dublin constituency who are to be presented with the document.

Party members from across Dublin will meet tonight (Thursday, June 17^th) to discuss building a stronger and safer capital city. A series of meetings will also be hosted by Deputy Geoghegan across the Dublin constituencies.

Among the proposals contained in ‘Building a better Dublin’ for consideration are;

• Examining the introduction of a tourist levy to collect more funding for the city 

• The introduction of a directly elected mayor for Dublin 

• Radical new measures to tackle dereliction and homelessness 

• A national initiative asking one big question, “What should the GPO become?”. Inspired by the 2009 Ideas Campaign, this project will invite people across Ireland to submit creative proposals to reimagine the GPO as a landmark muti-visit destination.

“The establishment of the Dublin City Taskforce by Simon Harris was a landmark moment for the city,” Deputy Geoghegan said. “It showed that Fine Gael is serious about tackling the real issues Dubliners face, from safety and housing to public realm and civic pride.

“It needs to be implemented in full. But there is more we have to do for the 1.45 million people who call Dublin home.

“This document is not a final blueprint, but a catalyst for debate, designed to stimulate new thinking and encourage a citywide conversation on Dublin’s future.”

“The introduction of a tourism levy of 5%, for example, as used in cities like Rome and Barcelona on the approximately 25,000 rooms in the Dublin region culd raise up to €100 million if implemented according to one analysis.”

– Building a better Dublin (PDF)