Mr. Owen Keegan:

I thank the joint committee for giving us the opportunity to comment on the general scheme of the Bill. I am accompanied by Mr. Philip Maguire, deputy city manager, and Mr. Jim Keogan, executive manager in the planning department.

In mid-2012 the Government announced its intention to wind up the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, DDDA, and replace the section 25 fast-track planning process with a section 34 strategic development zone, SDZ, planning scheme, with Dublin City Council as the nominated development agency. Dublin City Council responded with alacrity, mobilising an intensive public consultation process involving the local community, local businesses, local landowners and relevant State agencies. Following public display of a number of interactions on the draft SDZ plan, the city council adopted a final amended plan in November 2013. The draft SDZ plan was appealed to An Bord Pleanála. An oral hearing was held in March 2014 and a decision is expected shortly.

The publication of the general scheme of the Bill is timely and welcome. The Bill covers the essential matters of the winding up of the DDDA and transferring its powers, functions, assets and liabilities to Dublin City Council. It also makes necessary provision for the city council to operate the SDZ and a transition between the section 25 planning arrangements and the new section 34 SDZ planning scheme.

Dublin City Council is committed to ensuring the continued success of the social, economic, physical and environmental regeneration of the docklands and will work with relevant local and State parties to achieve this outcome. The provisions included in the Bill for establishing a formal docklands forum as a committee of Dublin City Council representing all local interests, will, no doubt, streamline and facilitate this primary objective. We thoroughly welcome the contents of the Bill and support its speedy enactment.