Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I genuinely thank the Deputies for their contributions on this issue. We worked on it together in opposition and I assure them that we will continue to do so. I want us all to work together on it. St Michael's is a really important site. The Deputies and the rest of us all know that. We want the project to be delivered. I do not want there to be any delays. I wish to make two points on the planning side. In response to Deputy Joan Collins, obviously, the council cannot submit the project for planning permission until the design work is done. There is revised design work but I am encouraging the council to prioritise that and to get the application in this year. I am checking on this project regularly.

Deputy Ó Broin's question on what happens post planning is a very good one. We have already changed the four-stage process to effectively a three-stage process. I am also establishing a mixed tenure unit within my Department. This scheme will go to one unit. Given that it is going to be 75% social housing, 25% cost-rental housing, it will be given absolute priority in the stages. There will not be inordinate delays with this project in the process. We need to focus getting it into planning. The public consultation is important. It is happening from 8 March. I am quite happy to keep Deputies regularly updated from my side of things. I know they will keep the pressure on Dublin City Council through their own representatives in the area.

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