During a special meeting held on Monday night to discuss the recently published report, councillors emphasised that the city council should lead the execution of the recommended actions.
The report outlines several key initiatives aimed at encouraging more people to live and spend time in the city centre, enhancing safety, and improving the quality of life for both residents and visitors.
Dublin City Council’s chief executive, Richard Shakespeare, said concrete funding commitments are unlikely before the formation of the next government.
“When I took this job, I said it was about focusing on the basics, and to do that requires funding, and unfortunately, there is not enough under the present funding mechanisms,” he said.
The special meeting was called at the request of Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam, who opened the discussion by suggesting a model similar to the Limerick 2030 initiative, which funded the redevelopment of vacant sites for residential purposes.
He also raised the possibility of the city council taking over waste collection to address illegal dumping.
Sinn Féin councillor Janice Boylan questioned whether the funding was guaranteed and criticised the current Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government, saying the report evidenced their failure to create a city that is “safe and vibrant”.
Green Party councillor Janet Horner said that while the report contains many positive points, much of it reflects what councillors have been discussing for some time.
“The only gap between our ambition and plans has been around the resourcing, financing and implementation behind it,” she said.
“I am concerned about that, and I think the city council has to lead on this. We cannot implement another top-down structure deciding what’s best for Dubliners.
“Look at the north inner city. We have community safety partnerships, the NEIC, Dublin City Council, a Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, and DublinTown, yet there is a lack of coherence and clear governance.
“If we want to address this, we need an empowered city council and a directly elected lord mayor,” she added.
Labour councillor Darragh Moriarty said his initial criticism of the report’s recommendations is that there are not “many new ideas” within it.
“There is a whole range and plethora of ideas that we have already discussed but it is now being led by the Taoiseach’s department which overlooked this chamber,” he said.
“Our fear is that this is an uncosted wishlist with brilliant ideas which I commend, but without ring-fenced funding its not worth the paper its written on.”
Social Democrats councillor Cian Farrell said the plan offers a chance to secure a fair and sustainable funding model for Dublin, not only for this project but also for long-term city financing.
However, as part of their General Election campaign, the Social Democrats launched their own comprehensive €200m plan to “breathe life back into Dublin city centre.”
Their plan includes €200m in ring-fenced funding to restore and revive the city with ideas such as “above-the-shop” living, a streamlined CPO process to acquire vacant and derelict sites and buildings, an increased garda presence, and the creation of a cultural corridor from Henrietta Street to St James’ Gate.
Fianna Fáil has launched a similar policy document to enhance and support urban living across Ireland, backed by €175m over the government’s term.
