Taoiseach meets with Lord Mayor to discuss DCC plans

The Fine Gael Lord Mayor of Dublin has met Taoiseach Simon Harris to discuss the priority areas that Dublin City councillors hope to deliver on over the next five years.

James Geoghegan was among eight Fine Gael councillors currently serving as chairpersons and Mayors in Local Authorities nationwide that met with the Taoiseach in Government buildings yesterday evening.

The meeting provided the opportunity for the Fine Gael representatives to discuss with the Taoiseach their priority areas and projected deliverables for the next local authority term, which is set to run up until 2029.The meeting was also attended by Fine Gael frontbench and junior Ministers.

Geoghegan, the Fine Gael Group Leader on Dublin City Council, said: “I am thankful to the Taoiseach for meeting us as a group and to hear what councillors intend to deliver on behalf of the people of Dublin city.

“It’s also very positive that we got to engage with senior Fine Gael Ministers and to raise matters relative to their portfolios.

“Ramping up the delivery of affordable homes for young people and families is an absolute priority for Fine Gael councillors and prioritising the promotion of new housing developments on suitable land in the city.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour and crime and ensuring residents and visitors feel safe in our capital city is another priority area for me.

“The work of new Dublin City Centre Taskforce will shortly give clear and concrete recommendations on improving the city centre’s public realm and we will enact positive changes that will benefit city centre communities and businesses.

“Improving disability services is a key focus for the Taoiseach and Fine Gael as a party. As Lord Mayor, I will continue to champion and introduce initiatives to support neurodiverse and autistic people across Dublin,” Councillor Geoghegan said.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “I was delighted to meet with Councillor Geoghegan to discuss the work ahead in delivering for communities in Dublin city.

“We had positive engagement and our councillors intend to build on the progress made with a with a set of priorities that will guide our work over the next five years. These include more ambition on housing, backing small businesses and enterprise, better public services and infrastructure and healthy and sustainable communities.

“I look forward to the work of the Fine Gael team in delivering on the shared ambition we have to improve peoples’ lives,” the Taoiseach said.