Three Steps for the New Minister
Time for new Minister to make amends for errors of the past – three steps to make a difference
Statement by Councillor Dermot Lacey
Labour – Dublin South East
“The appointment of Dick Roche T.D. as the new Minister for (sic) the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, will hopefully give Dublin the break it has long sought from the suffocating hands of Martin Cullen and the Mandarins in the Custom House”, according to former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Dermot Lacey.
“During his too long stint in the Custom House, Minister Cullen seriously failed to tackle the growing housing crisis, rowed back on the commitment to allow Dubliners elect their own Lord Mayor, imposed a waste policy that is clearly outdated and ineffective and stalled completely any meaningful reform of our antiquated system of Local Government.
“When he travels to the Custom House tomorrow morning, Minister Roche should first and foremost correct the impression, given by his predecessor Minister Cullen at the recent AMAI Conference, that Dublin City Council had underspent their financial allocation.
“Secondly he should instruct the Dublin City Manager to respect the democratic decision of Councillors to reject the Poolbeg Peninsula.
“Thirdly he should reintroduce the provision that would allow Dubliners elect their own Lord Mayor who would serve for the life of the Council.
Dublin needs a Minister for the Environment and Local Government committed to the requirements of a modern Capital City and capable of delivering the changes needed. Dick Roche deserves our good wishes because Dublin Deserves Better than it has got to date.
Contact: Dermot Lacey at 087-2646960
