Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I reiterate what my colleague, Senator Shane Curley, mentioned about SpunOut. I was with it today in Dublin City Council. It is an amazing organisation for youth advocacy celebrating 20 years. There was a huge turnout today and I wish the organisation congratulations.

As chair of the Bluebell community council, I acknowledge an important award we received last Friday regarding our Bluebell waterway project. This is a partnership between the Land Development Agency, LDA, and Dublin City Council. We were honoured by receiving the 2025 Irish Planning Institute housing and community project award. It recognises not only planning excellence, but also genuine, community-centred regeneration. I am chair of the community council and the project we are doing will enable 383 new houses to be built in Dublin 12. That is social and affordable housing of a high-quality design with climate-conscious planning. Not only that, but they are fully integrated into the existing fabric of the community. As chair of that council, I have seen the hope this has brought to Bluebell, to the families who want stability and to the older residents who want to remain in the area where they were brought up. For years, we have been told that regeneration must be done with communities. Now, it is being done. This has been spearheaded by Tommy Coombes, who is a community development worker in the area. It is a sign that the Government and local authorities can make a difference. If we can scale this in this city and across the country, let us use this serviced land, regenerate and engage the community early. I acknowledge the LDA and the amazing work it is doing, Dublin City Council and, especially, the people of Bluebell who never gave up on their community. This award belongs to them.