I thank the Cathaoirleach for accepting what I think is an exceptionally important Commencement matter, namely, the need for the Taoiseach to make a statement on progress on the implementation of the Dublin city centre task force and in particular the role Dublin City Council and its elected members will have over its functions, policies and spending. To set out why this was submitted to the Taoiseach's office, this is a task force established by the previous Taoiseach, who is currently Tánaiste. It did its work and deliberations and the driving of all that was kept very much central to the Taoiseach's office, which sent a very clear message about the importance and significance of this. Dublin is of course our capital city and sometimes people forget that. There is a lot of commentary on Dublin city which is not always fair or accurate. I commend the chief executive of Dublin City Council, Richard Shakespeare, and the 63 democratically elected councillors who have our capital at the very heart of their work.
When we talk about a task force we need to understand how the work and the implementation is devolved. I am always conscious that our councillors, especially in Dublin city but all over the country, have a democratic mandate and any watering-down, attempted watering-down, or perceived watering-down of their powers and functions is something we must always guard against. I wish the task force well. It is important there is good collaboration on the task force and that it works. I understand the interim advisory board met in June. It is going to proceed with a special purpose vehicle to lead the Taoiseach's task force and that is important too. I understand Mr. Robert Watt has now assumed the role of head of Dublin City Council's newly-formed project management unit and CEO-designate of the council's proposed special purpose vehicle which, when constituted, will oversee and implement the Taoiseach's task force report. It is important we are ambitious. It matters that this project has, as I know it does, the full support of central government. Central government is assisting local government to prioritise the work, vision and future of our capital city. I wish the project well. It is important we fully understand the purpose of the special purpose vehicle when that is constituted. There are a number of elected members on the interim advisory board. I think in total the board has about 16. I wish them well. It is important we understand the functions, the policies and the oversight of the work of the task force, the spending and the budgetary constraints. Out of this it is important we clearly understand there is no diminution or watering-down of the power and functions of the chief executive and elected members of Dublin City Council.
I wish this project well, as I know everyone in the House does. The task force must get on with its work. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to share with us the response from the Taoiseach's office.
