I thank the Cathaoirleach for accepting what I think is an exceptionally important Commencement matter, namely, the need for the Taoiseach to make a statement on progress on the implementation of the Dublin city centre task force and in particular the role Dublin City Council and its elected members will have over its functions, policies and spending. To set out why this was submitted to the Taoiseach's office, this is a task force established by the previous Taoiseach, who is currently Tánaiste. It did its work and deliberations and the driving of all that was kept very much central to the Taoiseach's office, which sent a very clear message about the importance and significance of this. Dublin is of course our capital city and sometimes people forget that. There is a lot of commentary on Dublin city which is not always fair or accurate. I commend the chief executive of Dublin City Council, Richard Shakespeare, and the 63 democratically elected councillors who have our capital at the very heart of their work.

When we talk about a task force we need to understand how the work and the implementation is devolved. I am always conscious that our councillors, especially in Dublin city but all over the country, have a democratic mandate and any watering-down, attempted watering-down, or perceived watering-down of their powers and functions is something we must always guard against. I wish the task force well. It is important there is good collaboration on the task force and that it works. I understand the interim advisory board met in June. It is going to proceed with a special purpose vehicle to lead the Taoiseach's task force and that is important too. I understand Mr. Robert Watt has now assumed the role of head of Dublin City Council's newly-formed project management unit and CEO-designate of the council's proposed special purpose vehicle which, when constituted, will oversee and implement the Taoiseach's task force report. It is important we are ambitious. It matters that this project has, as I know it does, the full support of central government. Central government is assisting local government to prioritise the work, vision and future of our capital city. I wish the project well. It is important we fully understand the purpose of the special purpose vehicle when that is constituted. There are a number of elected members on the interim advisory board. I think in total the board has about 16. I wish them well. It is important we understand the functions, the policies and the oversight of the work of the task force, the spending and the budgetary constraints. Out of this it is important we clearly understand there is no diminution or watering-down of the power and functions of the chief executive and elected members of Dublin City Council.

I wish this project well, as I know everyone in the House does. The task force must get on with its work. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to share with us the response from the Taoiseach's office.

I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this very important matter. As he knows, in May 2024 the Government appointed the Dublin city task force, chaired by David McRedmond, to take a holistic view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin city centre, north and south. The aim is to make Dublin city centre a more thriving, attractive and safe cityscape and a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit.

The Dublin city task force report published in October 2024 made a series of recommendations, known as the ten big moves, to improve the city centre’s public realm, safety and experience. A roadmap for delivery of the task force report was published by Government in June 2025, following the work of an interdepartmental group, setting out a clear implementation plan. Central to delivery will be: a special purpose vehicle to drive delivery and support the specific capital developments relevant to the project, and Dublin City Council is progressing the establishment of this new legal entity; a ten-year integrated area strategy for Dublin city centre to optimise funding and investment and tackle vacancy and dereliction; accelerated delivery of landmark capital projects in the city centre through additional funding in the URDF under the NDP review; and redevelopment of the GPO complex as an ambitious and historic flagship project.

An oversight board comprised of all the relevant Departments and agencies and chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach meets regularly to oversee and provide strategic direction for delivery of the task force report through the roadmap for delivery. Ultimately, responsibility for establishment of the special purpose vehicle lies with Dublin City Council and it will need to adhere to the relevant legislative requirements. The Government recently agreed the assignment of Mr. Robert Watt as CEO-designate, as the Senator said, of the body that will become the special purpose vehicle.

The newly appointed interim advisory board to the SPV met on 15 June and 16 representatives have been appointed to the advisory board, including chairperson, David McRedmond, who previously acted as the independent chair and member of the Dublin city task force. Dublin City Council has recruited staff for an interim programme management unit, which will drive delivery while the SPV is being set up.

The Department will work with all relevant parties through the oversight board to oversee delivery of the roadmap for the Dublin city task force report. For this to be successful, there needs to be a cross-departmental approach. The Government agreed the process to redevelop Dublin’s iconic General Post Office complex last month. Its ownership will transfer to the Office of Public Works, OPW, from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. The OPW will prepare design proposals, which will be subject to Government approval. Before that happens, a wide-ranging public consultation process will gather the views of all stakeholders. As part of the process, a temporary meanwhile use proposal will be developed.

Implementation of the Dublin city task force report recommendations is being underpinned by national development plan, NDP, investment funding. The towns and cities regeneration investment fund is supporting a number of projects within the core area. Changes to the living city initiative, announced as part of budget 2026, will also support regeneration and efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction. The roadmap creates an enabling environment designed to build confidence with business, landholders and investors to get involved in achieving a new vision for Dublin city centre and to drive private sector investment. There will be regular reports to Government on developments in delivery for the roadmap for the Dublin city task force report.

I was at the launch of the design proposals for the GPO. It is very significant. It is not just a building. It is actually a huge complex that is being put to many uses. I look forward to the process with all stakeholders and their views will be taken into consideration.

I thank the Minister of State very much. First, I want to thank the Taoiseach's office for preparing this speaking note. It is very comprehensive and deals with many of the issues. I thank the Minister of State for delivering it on behalf the Taoiseach's office. I acknowledge and thank the 63 elected members of Dublin City Council and its chief executive, Mr. Richard Shakespeare. This is an exciting time for the capital city of Ireland, Dublin city. I wish the project well. What is really interesting is the synergy and the importance of central government supporting local government, in this case for Dublin city, but there will be other similar possibilities for other parts of the country. It is a good model. It is clear now where the roadmap is. I wish Mr. Robert Watt well with the implementation of this task force. What is more important than anything the Minister of State said is that there is now a mechanism, which has been clearly stated today, whereby there will be regular reporting back to the Taoiseach's office in relation to progress. I wish all stakeholders and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as it is called now, all the very best with this really exciting project. It is important that we are ambitious for our cities and towns. I believe this is the beginning of something great for Dublin city.

I thank Senator Boyhan for his measured and informed approach and observations and his support and desire to work together on the rejuvenation of Dublin city. This is where at all matters. The approach of the Dublin city task force on the roadmap for delivery provides a good example of how State agencies and key stakeholders can work together to try to plot a course for a major city's rejuvenation. We look forward to seeing progress and the establishment of a special purpose vehicle by Dublin City Council in the coming months. I can assure the House that there will be further intensive discussions on advancing work on the roadmap for the Dublin city task force report.

I thank the Minister of State.