People Before Profit representatives on South Dublin County Council made the call following four days of debate of 355 motions on Clonburris SDZ in the council chamber.

Clondalkin Cllr Madeleine Johansson, who had made a detailed submission and proposed 8 motions to amend the plan, said:

“The debates in the council chamber were very rigorous and at times difficult, with varied opinions on a range of subjects including housing, Phasing and transport.”

“Many of the amendments passed, including my motion to include the Lucan Luas in the Phasing, will contribute to a much improved plan for future and existing residents in Clonburris, Lucan and Clondalkin. The National Transport Authority has failed to engage properly with local representatives and the only option left for us was to force the NTA’s hand by including public transport in the Phasing of the scheme, against the recommendations of the planners. I call on the NTA to engage in meaningful discussion with local representatives, and on the people of Lucan and Clondalkin to get organised to demand better public transport.”

“While I welcome many of the amendments made, the passing of motions to remove up to 742 units from the plan will undermine the whole plan. There is an urgent need for housing in Dublin Mid West and the solution to issues such as the lack of public transport and community amenities is not to reduce the number of units but to make demands of the developers, the NTA and the Government to deliver those services.”

Tallaght South Cllr Emma Hendrick commented:

“While the Clonburris SDZ is not part of my electoral area, the plan will have an impact on everyone living in the South Dublin area. There is over 8 000 people on the council housing waiting list and it is all councillors responsibility to ensure that we provide for the people who are in desperate circumstances living in emergency accommodation or overcrowded conditions.

“People Before Profit tabled amendments to ensure that at minimum 30 hectares of land in the SDZ would be provided for local authority housing, in addition to the 10% Part 5 social housing units. South Dublin County Council owns significant tracts of land in the SDZ, which could provide housing for a significant number of families and individuals. Unfortunately our amendment was defeated with 7 votes for and 26 against.”