Dublin TDs Raise Planning Enforcement Threat Facing Stoneybatter and Phibsborough Businesses in Dáil

Dublin City Council has instructed two independent local businesses in Dublin 7 to remove infrastructure because they did not meet planning standards, according to details raised in a Dáil debate.

Speaking during a topical issues debate, Deputy Gary Gannon and Deputy Daniel Ennis highlighted the cases of the Cowtown Market in Stoneybatter and the Stay With Us café in Phibsborough. Both representatives stated that the operators had invested in and transformed sites previously associated with dereliction, dumping, and antisocial behaviour into active community spaces.

According to Deputy Gannon, Dublin City Council told the operators that they must remove their infrastructure because the developments are outside the planning framework, rather than working with them to regularise their planning status. Deputy Ennis warned that enforcing the removals would risk returning the active community hubs to derelict spaces.

Responding on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, stated that he was restricted from commenting on or intervening in individual planning decisions.

Minister of State O'Sullivan highlighted that under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Minister is explicitly prevented from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Coimisiún Pleanála is or may be concerned.