John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with virtually everything Deputy Ellis has said. I am not in a position to direct local authorities as to what they should do with sites like this or, indeed, with issues like this in their own functional areas. However, it would not be unreasonable to hope that Dublin City Council could begin the consultation process when the demolition works are actually happening, so that what Deputy Ellis speaks about in terms of the completion of the regeneration of Ballymun can happen as soon as possible. He is right to point out that a lot of the factors which delayed work commencing on this project were not the city council's fault and not the fault of many other people. Nonetheless, we are in a position now where we can complete the rehabilitation of Ballymun and ensure an adequate community centre and mixed-use shopping facility is provided in the Ballymun area, an area that is going to expand, as the Deputy pointed out.

This public consultation process will hopefully lead to a sustainable shopping offering. Deputy Ellis eloquently made the point that shopping is about more than just physical buildings. It is about having a place where people can meet their neighbours and interact socially with the people they have known for many years. That is why this phase is crucial. The Deputy should to be talking to his own councillors in Dublin City Council to get that consultation under way as soon as possible so the work can be done as soon as possible.

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