Dublin north-east inner city report
Deputy McDonald criticises the lack of progress on implementing the Mulvey report and securing meaningful local structures. The Minister says the Taoiseach will meet the community coalition and has already indicated that intention.
Last February, Mr. Kieran Mulvey reported to the Government on Dublin's north-east inner city and bringing about what was termed in the report's title as "a brighter future". That was launched and agreed. Since that time, there has been a really disappointing level of inactivity in terms of implementing those recommendations and establishing viable and meaningful local structures to bring the change we all wish to see in that part of the city. The North Inner City Community Coalition has been in correspondence with An Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, on three occasions to request a meeting but that has not happened. Will the Minister tell me when we will get a report on substantive progress in the bringing of change and those local structures to the north-east inner city in Dublin? When will the outgoing or incoming Taoiseach meet representatives of the North Inner City Community Coalition?
Comment on this
I acknowledge the open mind that the Deputy has demonstrated with regard to this report and what we are looking to do, including the support she has offered to date, although I know that is qualified. The Deputy, her party and its councillors have looked to engage in this progress and project.
The Deputy asked whether the Taoiseach will seek to meet representatives of the community coalition and the answer is "Yes". He has just had much diary pressure to this point, in particular with European commitments, but as recently as yesterday he indicated to me he will meet the group. He is looking to meet them by the end of this month, if that is possible. He is further seeking to visit the north inner city again, and perhaps there might be the opportunity to do all of it as part of one arrangement, diary commitments permitting. I expect a report on what has been achieved to date will be done by the end of this month.