PDs back mayoral elections

PD plan for Dublin:Dublin could see its first directly elected lord mayor if the Progressive Democrats are returned to Government, according to the party's plan for the greater Dublin area, launched yesterday.

The plan says that the day- to-day activities of local authorities are almost exclusively carried out by public service management staff, but the time has come to test the directly elected mayor model. "Dublin city could be the ideal location to pilot the scheme," it says.

The plan includes proposals for improved public transport, better road infrastructure and a revitalised city centre.

It predicts that Dublin Port will run out of capacity by 2008 and envisages moving industrial port activity gradually from Dublin Port to Braemar, north of Balbriggan. This would "free-up 600-plus acres of Ireland's most valuable real estate" for phased redevelopment, which could include housing, office accommodation, shops, waterfront promenades and green spaces.

The Dublin Port area could be redeveloped as a centre for cruise liner traffic, with the potential to create a "spectacular Manhattan-style approach to Dublin by sea", the plan says.

Public transport in the capital will be improved with the completion of the metro north line from the city centre to Dublin airport and Swords, the extension of the Luas network to Cherrywood, Bray, the Point and to Lucan, as well as the connection of the two existing Luas lines.

Under the plan, the quality bus corridor network will be expanded and 200 extra buses will be provided over the next two years.

A new outer orbital route to run from the M7 and connect to the M4, M3, M2 and M1 will also be developed and the capacity of Dublin airport will be expanded by opening Pier D by 2008 and completing a second terminal by the end of 2009.

The plan also acknowledges that pressures on commuter-belt families are "truly onerous", and says a package of measures, including an increase in the under-six payment to €2,000 a year and the creation of 50,000 childcare places will alleviate the pressure.

On the plan to regenerate Dublin Port, Senator Tom Morrissey said they had received many submissions on how the bay could be best used for the people of greater Dublin.

"We are confident this plan will deliver a new, exciting and better heart for Dublin," he said.