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

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. He is 100% correct. I have been in the buildings with Senator Fitzpatrick and, fortunately, they are in good shape. I remain to be convinced of the level of restoration work required to bring the market back into use. We can look to the English Market in Cork, El Nacional in Barcelona and others. We can see what they add to their areas. I have no doubt whatsoever the fruit and vegetable market will be incredibly popular with people and will be a hub for enterprise but also for community.

Following the Senator's intervention, I am going to seek a more detailed, concise report from DCC with specific dates in it. I will absolutely commit to a meeting on-site with her and senior officials to move this forward because we know what needs to be done here. If we can, even on a temporary basis and provided it does not impinge on the works that need to be done, look at opening it up at various times, I want to see this work start. I am aware there is a process to follow through and commend DCC on the work it has done heretofore but I share the frustration of the Senator and residents of the area. With my Department working with DCC and the Senator we can look to expedite this process.

Following this debate I will write to the city manager to seek a meeting on-site in the coming weeks. I will seek a more concise report with specific timelines on delivery. I do not want to see the opening of the market delayed until 2024, so we need to be able to do everything we can to shorten that timeframe. That is what I want to do. I again thank the Senator for her continued support for this project on behalf of Dublin and residents of the north inner city as well. We will follow up with those meetings in the coming weeks.