FF vows to make Dublin better

Fianna Fáil today promised to make Dublin one of the best places in the world to live.

Fianna Fáil today promised to make Dublin one of the best places in the world to live.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced a range of proposals including the development of Dublin Bay as a public amenity; better public transport and improved community facilities.

Mr Ahern promised to invest in playgrounds, youth cafés, skateboard parks. leisure centres, public swimming pools and all-weather pitches. He said more community centres would be built and public parks and recreational areas would be protected and augmented by "a network of peoples parks and urban woods".

On transport, the Taoiseach said the party open new Quality Bus Corridors; join the Green and Red Luas lines, and extend the service to the Docklands, Citywest, Cherrywood and Cabra. It would also study the feasibility of a line serving Rathfarnham.

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Work on the M50 would be completed and consideration given to constructing an outer orbital route for the capital.

New Metro services from St Stephen's Green to Dublin Airport one connecting Tallaght and Ballymun through Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown, was also promised. "Fianna Fáil's economic policies will keep Dublin working, so that our people have the income and financial security with which to build better lives for themselves and their families.

"We are determined for Dublin to be not just one of the best places in the world to work, but also one of the best places to live," Mr Ahern said.

The plan for Dublin Bay included constructing a 22km walking and cycling route from Sandycove in south Dublin to Sutton on the northside.

A Dublin Bay taskforce was also promised to advise on maximising the potential of the bay and ensure that any development is appropriate.

Announcing investment in existing arts facilities and the development of new ones, Mr Ahern said: "Dublin is at the heart of an Ireland that has long been known for the depth and uniqueness of our culture."

He said a new national concert hall and national theatre would be developed as well as a museum of Irish literature.

The National Museum of Ireland would be expanded and the GPO on O'Connell Street would be turned into a museum linking to a an interpretative centre on Moore Street.

Mr Ahern also said it would be a requirement that all new housing developments have access to schools, health centres and amentities. Developers would also be required to commit land for the community facilities where necessary.