Funds call for O'Connell St plan

Dublin's city manager has called on the Government to make extra funding available for the rejuvenation of O'Connell Street.

The Department of the Environment and Local Government, however, has no plans to invest in the O'Connell Street plan.

Mr John Fitzgerald yesterday said phase one of the plan would be completed by the middle of next year and that funding was in place for that. However, he had "made a strong case for funding" to the Department for phase two of the project, due to get under way in the middle of next year.

The second phase will cost about Eur 60 million. It will include the construction of a plaza - similar to that in front of the GPO in phase one - between Henry Street and Parnell Street, the erection of new street lighting, the planting of trees and new street furniture.

Mr Fitzgerald said he hoped money would be forthcoming from central government, but that if it was not, the council might have to borrow.

A spokesman for the Department said the city council received annual funding from central government and that in addition "there are mechanisms in place to raise further funding". There were no plans to grant extra funds for the rejuvenation of O'Connell Street.

Mr Fitzgerald rejected reports yesterday that the project was already Eur 25 million over budget, saying the reports had come about "because of some confusion".

"The position is that phase one is not just on budget but coming in under budget. The money is there for everything planned in phase one. My problem is not funding it but actually spending the money."

Citing the recent controversy about the cutting down of trees on the street as an example, he said planning issues had slowed the project.

"Everyone loves the overall plan when it's being drawn up, loves the strategy but then the devil is in the detail."

He said the Carlton site had been compulsorily purchased and though the CPO was being contested by its current owner, Mr Fitzgerald expected the council would be successful in fighting that case, due before the High Court, in July.

The Spire, a key element of phase one, would be finally officially unveiled next month. He said problems with the aviation light at the top were "being resolved".

The Lord Mayor, Mr Dermot Lacey, said the Government should put extra money into the plans to revamp O'Connell Street, saying it was a national thoroughfare used for national marches, events and celebrations such as St Patrick's Day.

"It is absolute hypocrisy," he said. "The Government is refusing to give us funding for O'Connell Street and also failing to pay rates for government buildings which last year alone would have amounted to Eur 15 million."