Plans for Dublin's largest and most controversial development, the Spencer Dock scheme on the north of the Liffey between the IFSC and the Point, designed to include a conference centre, glitzy offices, trendy plazas and even some housing, was rejected by the city council earlier this year. Corporation officials amended the plan, which continues to attract opposition from community groups, and it is now before an Bord Pleanala.
The issue, considering the stakes involved, is a sensitive one. Imagine then the shock of city councillors when they received the Corporation Desk Diary for 2000. The centrepiece advertising slot, i.e. the full-colour bookmark attached to a ribbon at the binding and movable from week to week, depicted none other than . . . Spencer Dock. To inflame passions further, the futuristic scene on the bookmark comes from the plans rejected by Corpo members.
TD for the area, Tony Gregory, raised the issue of what he sees as the sponsoring of the diary (which goes to councillors, officials and numerous others), by the Spencer Dock syndicate, with the city manager John Fitzgerald on Monday night. Fitzgerald, in the fashion of all public servants, said he would look into it.