McAdam Welcomes Government Backing for Dublin City Taskforce Plan: “Now we must deliver, together.”

Cllr. Ray McAdam, Fine Gael Councillor for the North Inner City, has today welcomed the Government’s approval of the Roadmap for Delivery of the Dublin City Taskforce Report and has pledged to work closely with the Council, Government, and local communities to ensure the plan is fully implemented.

Speaking after today’s Cabinet announcement, Cllr. McAdam said:

“Today marks a turning point for Dublin city centre — and in particular, for the communities of the North Inner City. Government has now backed a ten-year, fully costed roadmap to implement the 10 Big Moves recommended by the Dublin City Taskforce. What we need now is delivery, urgency, and partnership.”

Cllr. McAdam, who has championed the reimagining of O’Connell Street and the transformation of the capital core as one of his key priorities, continued:

“This plan isn’t just about buildings and streets — it’s about restoring pride in our capital. It’s about ending vacancy and dereliction, regenerating inner-city housing, increasing visible Garda presence, delivering better services for the most vulnerable, and attracting more people to visit, shop, and enjoy the city centre.”

Among the key commitments in the Government’s plan are:

• The establishment of a new Special Purpose Vehicle under the remit of Dublin City Council to drive capital core delivery.
• A 10-Year Integrated Area Strategy for the city centre, tackling vacancy and dereliction while prioritising key regeneration projects.
• Acceleration of capital investment in flagship projects through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).
• The redevelopment of the GPO as a new cultural, civic, and commercial anchor in the heart of the city.

The Oversight Board for the plan will be chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and include senior officials across Government departments and agencies. Cllr. McAdam confirmed he would be seeking clear mechanisms to ensure local democratic oversight through Dublin City Council and the involvement of city councillors in shaping delivery.

“We now have the framework and the funding. The challenge is to move at pace. That means ensuring the new Special Purpose Vehicle is established quickly, that projects are shovel-ready, and that local communities — especially those in the North Inner City — feel the benefit of real, visible change on the ground.”

Cllr. McAdam also pointed to the inclusion of long-standing Fine Gael priorities such as:

• Tackling dereliction and delivering homes for essential workers;
• Doubling down on safety and visible policing, including 1,000 new Gardaí;
• Making the city cleaner, more liveable, and more accessible;
• And restoring the national importance of O’Connell Street, which McAdam describes as “not just Dublin’s main street — but the main street of our Republic.”

“This roadmap gives Dublin the chance to reclaim its place as a capital we can all be proud of — a city that works for families, businesses, workers, and visitors alike. As a local councillor, I will work day and night to ensure this plan delivers for the North Inner City and for Dubliners more broadly. But we will only succeed if we work together.”

Cllr. McAdam concluded by calling for regular updates to elected members, stronger community engagement, and a focused implementation programme in the first 12 months.

“From the GPO redevelopment to the regeneration of our flat complexes, to how we restore life and activity to our laneways, streets, and public spaces — this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Let’s seize it.”