Labour plan aims to make Dublin a better place to live

A plan to develop better co-ordination and co-operation among Dublin local authorities has been published by the Labour party.

Although there is a regional authority for the county the four local councils – Dublin City Council and Dublin Laoghaire Rathdown, South Dublin and Fingal county councils – largely act independently of each other.

As of Friday last Labour councillors chair three of the councils, with Fine Gael councillor Kieran Dennison chairing Fingal County Council.

Dublin Lord Mayor Oisín Quinn along with Dermot Looney cathaoirleach of South Dublin County Council and Carrie Smyth cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, have pledged to implement an action plan for the capital as a whole.

The plan involves creating a Dublin-wide network of cycle paths and extending the Dublin bikes scheme; holding public consultation on plans for a directly elected mayor; ensuring sustainable development; promoting tourism related to outdoor activities; encouraging children to join libraries and take an interest in the history of Dublin; and making Dublin more “senior citizen friendly”.

The purpose of the initiative was to make Dublin a better place to live and visit, Mr Quinn said.

"I think people want to see us work together. For my part and I know for Carrie and Dermot's as well, we know things like cycling and leisure in the city aren't confined to just one area. We have a fantastic coastline, canals and the river and we want to see dedicated cycle ways and a cycle network for the greater Dublin region emerge and we will work with minister Alan Kelly on that."

One of Mr Quinn’s priorities would be to chair a forum on proposals for a directly elected mayor.

“A lot of focus this year is going to be on the plans for local Government and we’ll be looking towards the vote I hope will be held in May of next year for a directly elected Mayor for the Dublin region.”