Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I raised this issue with the Taoiseach a number of weeks ago. I acknowledged at the time, and since the Taoiseach took the initiative in the summer of last year, that there was a consensus in the House that we could use a model over a number of Dáileanna to invest, improve and transform an area that needed that level of focus and maybe potentially use the model elsewhere if it worked. When I was back in the north inner city with Joe Costello two weeks ago, I met many of the local groups. One of the concerns they have, as I said to the Taoiseach, is that the Taoiseach moving out of the office of Taoiseach will mean the focus and momentum will be gone. The Taoiseach indicated to me the independent executive chair would be appointed. Are we very close to that now? Will it happen before the Taoiseach vacates his office? What role does he see for the Department of the Taoiseach in the future in ensuring the very detailed Mulvey recommendations are put into effect? Is there a commitment there? A number of local Deputies, including the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, have an interest in the issue and I presume the Minister will commit funding in the short term but in the longer term, can we have some device that ensures the entire programme is safeguarded against future change of Government or Minister and that we will achieve what the House wants, a model redevelopment in this part of our national capital?

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