What should be done with The Docks

Liam Byrne

Lots of good points put forward; the ultra-modern apartment blocks built 10 years ago - Steamboat and Mount Kenneth - are falling to rack and ruin inside (broken doors, lifts, etc) because the tax-incentive has run out and no-one wants to look after them (management companies that think "management" means "take the rent and run".

The dock clock is missing; they should do something like they did at Baker Place with Tait's Clock; preserve the history where possible.

The traffic on the Dock Road is already dire; adding this project to that area will be yet another example of dire planning. Road and infrastructure should be built FIRST, THEN build the apartments and offices......at the moment, there is no proper planning in Ireland, resulting in traffic congestion, supposed ring roads clogged by retail parks and even more new housing estates, people buying where it's cheaper rather than where suits, resulting in more commuting and congestion and an even lower quality of life.

Finally, on the planning issue; does anyone think it ridiculous that they are NOW proposing closing the Docks, after arguing for years that they needed an expensive tunnel instead of a reasonable bridge because otherwise the Docks would have to close ? IT'S CRAZY !!! It seems that the modern economy is just interested in building and even more building - quick buck for investors due to tax incentives and/or house prices, screw first-time buyers or people who actually want to live somewhere, not "get on the property ladder" :P

There's no thought or sense given to the longer-term implications.