The IFSC: one decade on there are several pieces of the jigsaw still missing

Since the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) opened in 1987 in what was then perceived as a run-down area on the periphery of Dublin's main economic arteries, both the economy and the face of the city has changed dramatically. Property prices and rentals at the IFSC, both for commercial and residential use, are among Dublin's highest.

"The number of people currently living and working in the IFSC is getting close to six and a half thousand," says Gerry Kelly, who is the director of social programmes in the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA). Given this number of people, and that the IFSC has been in existence for over a decade, there are still very few facilities and services within the IFSC.

The area may be Dublin's financial centre but the people who work and live there have difficulty spending their money in the immediate surroundings. There is a small Spar, a dry-cleaners, a Munchies sandwich bar, the Harbourmaster Bar, and Wrights Restaurant.

Padraig Rushe is the head of banking and development in the Bank of Ireland at the IFSC. "A lot of companies would have moved in here with the expectation that the infrastructure of services would follow," he said. "Several of the banks here would have canteens, but people like to get out of the office environment at lunchtime. Everyone in here would love to see facilities which would bring more life to the place. Places to window shop at lunch time, to avail of healthcare or a chemist, to buy flowers.

"There was also the idea that there would be some type of cultural centre located here, such as a museum, within the area to bring in visitors. None of that ever happened. It's the missing bit of the jigsaw here, and a lot of people are very annoyed about it."

There is a listed vacant warehouse on the IFSC site, close to Jury's and known as Stack A, which has to be used for a museum, leisure or retail use - the missing services - under the development plan.

In January, 1997, the government received a report drawn up by Dr Peter Bacon on a proposal by businessman Dermot Desmond for an elaborate £130 million development of the building. It was to include a transparent pyramid higher than Liberty Hall, containing an aquarium, eco-centre, shops and services. Initial development costs, which would have been substantial, would have to come from the Government.

It was not thought at the time that the project would qualify for EU funding. One of the reasons Mr Desmond put forward the project was that it would be, as he said, "a major millennium project".

Since then, nothing has happened, except the fact that several hundred more people are now working within the IFSC.

Paddy O'Keefe, press officer at the Department of Finance, said in a statement: "While the development of Stack A is currently on hold, an economic assessment for an aquarium and eco-sphere at George's Dock is being considered within the Department. The position remains that the use of the site will be decided by the developer in consultation with the DDDA."

Is Gerry Kelly of the DDDA surprised it has taken so long for Stack A to be developed? "I wouldn't comment or speculate on that," he said. "There are all sorts of facilities within 250 yards of the doors of the IFSC." Interestingly, the problems with provision of services at the IFSC mirror those accompanying the development of the Docklands area in London's Canary Wharf. The site there is 80 acres, also serving a community of bankers and financiers, which is deserted at the weekends, and described by many as soulless and lacking proper services.

The heading on a recent article in The Guard- ian said it all: "As Canary Wharf heads to market, the vital question remains: where can you get a good lunch in Docklands?"

Fiona O'Flynn, who is a manager in corporate banking at BW Bank Ireland plc within the IFSC, first started working there six years ago. "There were less people working here at that stage, about 2,000," she said. "Services in the meantime have improved very slowly. Of course, you can go down town, but it's not as convenient." What would she like to see there in the future? "Everything," is the answer. "Doctors, dentists, a cobblers, a supermarket, a health club, a chemist. There's only one sandwich bar. The place is missing a village feeling as a result."

What does she think is the current situation with Stack A? "I presume it's in progress and planning permission is taking longer than anticipated. I know that property is at a premium here now. Like everyone else who works in the IFSC, I would be horrified if I heard the developers were changing their plans and putting in whatever was most lucrative to them, such as more office space."

Meantime, the few existing services within the IFSC continue to hold the monopoly over the ever-increasing numbers living and working in the area.