Dublin South East Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Doolan-Planning Enforcement must be strengthened

Published: 15 June, 2005

Sinn Féin's Dublin Spokesperson on the Environment & Dublin South East Representative, Councillor Daithí Doolan, today called on, "the Dublin City Manager to help lift the siege on communities by fully resourcing the city's Planning Department."

Speaking this morning with residents in Pearse Street, Cllr. Doolan said:

"You only have to look across Dublin to see the sky line full of cranes . Yet in the shadows of these cranes, communities feel they are under siege. A daily reality for many people is a developer on their door step taking no heed to the by-laws that cover hours of work, traffic, dust and dirt. But when complaints are made the enforcement officers in the Planning Department simply can not take action due to lack of personnel and resources. Dublin City Council simply has not kept up with the demands made by the current building boom in the city. This has left many communities angry and frustrated. Many have had to take up the challenge and deal with the developers themselves in an attempt to improve their own quality of life.

"It was agreed last year that the budget for the enforcement officers in the Planning Department would be increased, yet nothing has happened. The City Manager must amend this and release the funds immediately. For too long developers have simply ignored the needs of communities in the race to increase profits and bank balances. This can not be allowed continue."

In conclusion Cllr. Doolan, demanded the City Manager, "to release the money promised in last year's budget and let the Planning Department get on with the job of enforcing the law here in Dublin."