It has ‘become a joke at this stage’ lack of projects starting

THERE have been so many broken promises to develop in Cherry Orchard over the years, that if a supermarket was scheduled to open in the area tomorrow, a local councillor would be afraid to tell anyone about it, until he saw the front door opening.

Cllr Vincent Jackson (Ind) said there has been so many incarnations of failed plans in Cherry Orchard that it has “become a joke at this stage”, noting the only tangible developments provided so far is “social housing, social housing and more social housing.”

Ballyfermot councillors were speaking at the South Central area meeting following a Motion by Jackson, which requested to speed up plans announced last November by the then Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

McEntee’s announcement of a Cherry Orchard implementation group, was announced to much fanfare, but the lack of progress since has been a source of dismay for local reps.

“I’m asking that we stop all these obstacles, all these barriers, artificial excuses on how we don’t progress this in the speedy manner that it deserves for the people of Cherry Orchard,” said Cllr Jackson.

“It gets so frustrating…listening to people ask when are things going to happen? If somebody told me tomorrow there was a new supermarket going into the middle of Cherry Orchard, I would be afraid to tell anyone until I see the door opening, there has been so many false dawns.”

Jackson said the speed does not warrant the issues that are happening on the ground and urged the city council to “get the finger out and get this project started”.

“If ever a community that needs it, this is a community that needs it,” he said.

“All they have got so far, is social housing, social housing and more social housing. They have got none of the services that were promised over the years. We need to make sure that we start to provide this simultaneously with the construction of housing, because people are losing faith with the body politick in this area.”

Cllr Daithí Doolan (SF) said members were “only asking for what was promised” after the minister came out to “much fanfare” but noted there has been a “deathly silence since”.

“Yes, there has been a rustling of paper and pen pushing but it has been false dawn after false dawn. I am glad there is to be some movement at the end of April. I look forward to the groups been set up as a matter of urgency,” said Cllr Doolan.

He stressed the need for all stakeholders in the community to have a seat around the table, with powers to make things happen.

“We cannot have a meeting where it is messages going back to the boss to get decisions made,” said Doolan.