Sandymount and Merrion Residents’ Association welcomes Taskforce

Back in June 2022, Sandymount and Merrion Residents’ Association (SAMRA) called for a taskforce to be urgently set up involving all relevant agencies and stakeholders to co-ordinate the multiple works planned for the sea front in Sandymount.

These include (1) the installation of flood defences, (2) elimination of raw sewage discharge onto Sandymount beach and (3) the Cycle Lane.

SAMRA argued that a Taskforce was needed to ensure that all three projects could be fully integrated and deliver the best possible outcome for what is a unique part of Dublin City; reducing costs, re-works and disruption.

SAMRA has welcomed the establishment of the Dublin Bay South East Area Taskforce.

Speakign following the annoucement, David Turner Chairman of SAMRA said:

“What this means for the Sandymount Community is that we now finally will have an agreed pathway and mechanism for positively driving forward these intimately interlinked priorities”.

SAMRA also thanked all local representatives who have “wholeheartedly supported this initiative and advocated on behalf of residents over the past 15 months.”

The elected members of the South East Area Committee all supported the initiative and has requested that Dublin City Council lead the Taskforce to coordinate infrastructure works within the area over the coming 5 to 10 years.

The Taskforce will bring together people and organisations from across the various utility agencies and Local Authority sectors so that stakeholder and community views can be discussed, understood and properly considered prior to and during project delivery.

Dublin City Council is engaging with the respective utilities to develop a draft terms of reference and to seek nominees, this process is ongoing and it is anticipated that a draft terms of reference along with named nominees will be finalised in the coming weeks, along with the request for nominations from the local communities.

The taskforce will create the opportunity for dialogue between stakeholders with diverse and direct interest in the projects.

It will offer advice to the project delivery teams on key project developments.

It will act as a consultative body but not replace any other statutory or non-statutory engagement/consultation process that the Project Teams are required to carry out.

The taskforce will meet quarterly and it will involve a wide range of stakeholders, with participation from Projects Teams within Dublin City Council and the utility sector.

The South East Area Committee will be kept informed and involved throughout, via regular updates and reports.

Membership

It is proposed that the membership is composed of representatives from the following organisations:

• Active Travel Programme Office – Dublin City Council
• Flood Defence Project Office – Dublin City Council
• Planning Department – Dublin City Council
• Office Of Public Works
• Uisce Éireann
• NTA
• Eirgrid

The resident association, business communities and sports organisations effected by potential work within the South East area will be requested to nominate representatives.

All local public representatives will be ex-officio members of the forum.