Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour)

Last week Dublin City Council decided to close a construction project site at the old St. Michael's Estate in Inchicore. That decision was unwarranted and will have serious repercussions for the entire community. We must be mindful of health and safety issues, but I understand the health and safety issues in question may have been of a minor nature. The council has cited health and safety issues, but I understand from the regeneration board that they are of a minor nature.

The health and safety authorities visited the site and issued what is referred to as a first advice notice. This is not generally considered a reason to close a construction site. My understanding is that it is intended to put people on notice that adjustments have to be made. There are widespread fears that this closure will mean the end of the work for a very long time and that the issue will go before the courts because the contractor feels it was treated unfairly. That will drag on and on.

There is a better way. The local community believes that mediation could resolve this. It has to be resolved in the best interests of the community which has waited 15 years for a regeneration project. This is simply heaping disappointment upon disappointment. It is a very serious issue that must be addressed. I believe it can be resolved but it is vital that we keep it out of the courts. There are very reputable mediation agencies which could look at these issues and bring this contractor back on site to complete this phase of a long-awaited regeneration project.

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