merrion street

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has announced that the Government has decided that the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) is to be wound up, taking account of its precarious financial outlook as well as the findings of the C&AG’s special report.

It is envisaged that the Authority would remain in place for a transitional period of a maximum of 18 months, under a new Board chaired by the Dublin City Manager, Mr. John Tierney.

To safeguard the future of the area, and to build on the good work it carried out in the past, the branding of the Dublin Docklands will continue along with the planning, managing and marketing of the area in order to maximise its development potential. A focus on the continuation of the regeneration programme and attracting investment and job creation will be key priorities for the new Board.

The Government’s decision has been made following consideration of a special report on the DDDA prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), together with the DDDA’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2011, both of which were also published today.

The Minister said:

I welcome the preparation of the Special Report by the C&AG. The report published today includes some damning findings, particularly in relation to the Authority’s assessment and decision making processes surrounding its decision in 2006 to become involved in the purchase of the former Irish Glass Bottle site.  The failure of the Authority to obtain its own independent valuation of the site prior to deciding on the bid to be made is particularly serious, as is the fact that ultimately some €52m of the Authority’s resources have been lost arising from its involvement in the project.

Making the announcement, the Minister commented;

The Government remains fully committed to the continued regeneration of Dublin Docklands.  It is an ambitious and visionary project which, as Minister, I intend to continue to support actively. 

Key objectives for the future, the Minister indicated, would centre on –

• maintaining and enhancing the Docklands brand and international marketability as an attractive and prime location for investment and high-value development;
•  providing for an appropriate set of “fast-track” planning procedures,
• continuing to involve the local community and the business sector in the regeneration project,
• Facilitating job creation.

Copies of the DDDA’s 2011 Annual Report and Financial Statements and the C&AG’s Special Report can be accessed and downloaded on their respective websites:

and

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