The Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum is being established under Part 5 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Act 2015 and the associated schedule to the Act. Under the 1997 Act establishing the DDDA, input from interested parties in Docklands was previously channelled via the Docklands Council to the Authority, and the advice and feedback from that Council, which included representatives from community groups and business interests as well as from Government Departments, Agencies and semi-State bodies, was invaluable in formulating policy and strategies in the past.
In dissolving the Authority and transferring its functions to Dublin City Council, I am committed to ensuring that the voices of residents, business and other parties with an interest in the area will continue to be heard.
In devising the composition, role and functions of the new Forum, the consensus of the outgoing Docklands Council, the Board of the Authority and the City Council were sought. The definition, composition, role and functions of the Forum are detailed in Part 5 of the 2015 Act and the related Schedule. Under Section 39(4)(a) of the Act, the Community representatives must come from organisations that represent the interest of Communities and Residents within the Docklands area.
Under sections 5 and 6 of the Act, a day shall be appointed by Order to be the dissolution day and on that day, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority shall stand dissolved. The exact date of dissolution is currently under consideration.
Section 1(3) of the Act provides for the establishment of the Oversight and Consultative Forum by Dublin City Council and this provision will be commenced when I bring Part 5 of the Act into operation. It is my intention to do so on the dissolution date. The bodies to be invited to nominate persons for consideration for appointment to the Forum will be set out in Regulations, which will be made following the coming into operation of Part 5 and following consultation with Dublin City Council.
