Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister mentioned Leader and the other programmes. It seems that this significant new urban district is falling between the cracks. We had the opening of a new hub, which essentially is a small space. We have a very vibrant community in Clongriffin and the adjoining districts. Besides the local "Dubs" and people from all over Ireland, including the Minister's county, we also have up to 40 different nationalities. People have seen what is done in other areas. Unfortunately, we are not a strategic development zone but we have seen a major new multifunctional community centre placed beside the secondary school in Phibblestown in the Taoiseach's constituency and in a number of other areas, thereby creating a centre for the area.

We have also seen developments in many comparator cities, for example Stockholm, which also has a major new urban district on the north of the city but where key services were put in at the start, whereas Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and main developers such as Gannon and Kearns have been incredibly slow to put in the key services that are required. We campaigned for ten years for a railway station. I welcome what the Minister outlined and I urge him to consider becoming a stakeholder in the area. I know the energy the Minister has put into looking after the urban spaces in Westport, Ballina and Castlebar in his constituency.

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