Sell clinic, keep control of harbour businessmen tell Dun Laoghaire

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council should encourage the Department of Health to sell off a drug clinic and a dental clinic on Patrick Street and redevelop them as shopping malls, according to a proposal by the Dún Laoghaire Business Association to the newly elected council.

"No other town or city would allow such valuable locations to be used for clinics" says the submission. "You won't find such clinics in Dublin's Henry Street, Grafton Street or O'connell Street."

It contends that "ailing" Patrick street do with a much need retail boost and that the Health Board could operate its mobile drugs treatment unit in the area.

It says the dental clinic and other health related clinics should be grouped beside St Michael's Hospital.

The business association also objects to any proposal to bring the port of Dún Laoghaire under the control of a United Dublin Fast Ferries Company .

"This will mean the revenue which is generated from the Stena HSS ship will go to Dublin (via the proposed United Fast Ferries Company), while the upkeep will become the responsibility of the County Council.

"The county council as so often stated and demonstrated , do not have the finance to take on such a responsibility. The only way they could possibly raise such finance would be through a huge rise int he commercial rates. This is a non-starter."

It calls on councillors to ensure ensure that Dún Laoghaire Harbour remain under the control of the semi-state Dún Laoghaire Harbour company. It also criticises the appearance of shopfronts in the town centre, saying there is "room for major improvement at ground level".

It suggest the County Council take a proactive role in encouraging business people to upgrade shop fronts and introduce a rates rebate as an incentive.

"At present business people , property owners or tenants, who improve their shop fronts/premises face an automatic revaluation and usually an increase in their rateable valuation."