Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

I watched an episode of "Prime Time" last week, a programme which the public broadcaster, RTE, claimed would reveal something hugely problematic for society and the management of the regeneration process in inner city Dublin. It was most disappointing. One expected to be confronted with some huge revelations but, in fact, it was pure hype. There was nothing in the programme worth listening to or discussing. Obviously, there is a planning dispute but that is the start and end of the matter.

The real pity is that the programme conveyed an image of the docklands authority as somehow failing in its duty and role in the regeneration of inner city Dublin. That could not be further from the truth. Since its establishment in 1997, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority has transformed people's lives. It has made a huge difference in terms of social and affordable housing. People have been moved from substandard accommodation that should have been knocked down years ago to modern, bright, healthy and sustainable accommodation. That is due to the docklands authority.

The authority has tried to embrace the entire community in the area by including and consulting with everybody, be they young or old. Visit the schools, parks and community centres throughout the docklands areas, north and south, and see how they have been touched by the authority through the services supplied and delivered to the communities in the area. Recently I passed a pub on the quays, The Ferryman. Ten or 15 years ago one would have wondered what the man was doing, trying to run a pub in the godforsaken area. Clearly, the area has changed and in a positive way. The impression given by RTE, the public service broadcaster, should not prevail.

The education brief of the docklands authority is most impressive. It is involved with the School Principals' Forum and has a drama in the schools programme, a parents in education programme, a literacy programme and third level scholarship programmes. The docklands is a good news story.

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