Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
499 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the number of community representatives on the Dublin Docklands Development Authority has been reduced to five; the criteria used in the selection of those members; the reason the dockland community of East Wall has no representative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25486/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 16 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997 provides for the appointment of a Council to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. In particular, Section 16 provides, inter alia, that not less than two ordinary members of the Council shall be appointed from among persons selected by the organisations prescribed under each paragraph of subsection (5), subject to eight persons being appointed in all. The organisations prescribed under subsection (5) are:
(a) organisations which are concerned with, or are representative of persons engaged in, the promotion or carrying out of social, economic or other development (including employment, education, training and the development of land) in the Dublin Docklands area;
(b) organisations which are concerned with community development in the Dublin Docklands area or with the promotion of the social, economic or general interests of communities in that area; and
(c) organisations which are representative of persons whose professions or occupations relate to town planning, urban design, architecture, conservation of the architectural heritage or civil engineering.
On 10 May 2012, I appointed a new Council which followed the statutory appointment provisions, including those set out above. In this regard, there is no entitlement to have more than two appointees from category (b) above, nor is there any entitlement to have a category (b) appointee from any specific geographical area within the Dublin Docklands area.
I am satisfied that the broad range of stakeholders from the different categories of nominating organisations as well as from the statutory bodies who have nominated representatives should provide the Council with the necessary expertise, skills and local knowledge to assist and advise the Authority in its work.
