15-minute city can preserve solidarity shown in the pandemic – Geoghegan

Making Dublin a 15-minute city where services are within easy reach of an individual’s home is a priority Dublin Bay South bye-election candidate James Geoghegan intends to deliver on if elected to Dáil Éireann.

Cllr Geoghegan, who represents the Pembroke electoral area, said there is huge public support for a 15-minute Dublin city.

Cllr Geoghegan said: “Recent polls show that over 80% of people want to continue to work remotely in some form as we exit the pandemic. It’s more essential than ever that we create an urban environment that matches the changes in our work patterns.

“Dublin’s population is set to grow by 10 to 25 per cent by 264,000 to 1.437 million people in 2040 and we need to ensure our capital is adequately prepared for this growth.

“We are preparing for this change with a number of plans to ensure Ireland continues on a path of economic, environmental and social progress which improves our prosperity and well-being.”

Cllr Geoghegan was joined by Fine Gael Ministers Simon Coveney and Hildegarde Naughton in his constituency today to unveil his key message about the importance of making Dublin a 15-minute city.

Cllr Geoghegan said: “The 15-minute City is a concept that ensures people have all of their essential services a 15-minute walk or cycle away from where they live.

“It’s about a move away from the planning and development of the past, where workplaces, homes and services were separate and segregated.

“There is a danger that as we exit the pandemic, we return Dublin City back to one of the most congested cities in the world.

“It is essential that there is a cross-departmental approach from education to health to transport for the 15-minute vision, to ensure that government works together with the changes that our coming to our city development plan for 2022-2027.”

“If I am successful in being elected to Dáil Éireann, I will work to support the implementation of the 15-minute City so that schools, primary healthcare and a balanced retail mix are targeted to be available to everyone within a 15 minute walk or cycle from their home,” Cllr Geoghegan concluded.

Cllr Geoghegan has already worked on developing the 15-minute city concept during his time on  Dublin City Council including;

• Pedestrianising Capel Street, Merrion Row, South William Street and development of the Liffey Cycle Route.
• As a member of the Dodder Steering committee, he was worked to support the development of the Dodder Greenway, connecting Ringsend to Ballsbridge to Milltown and all the way up to the Dublin Mountains along the 17km route.
• Approving the application of a new village in 2019 to provide the necessary infrastructure and amenities for the 3,500 new homes to be delivered on the Glass Bottle site, 900 of which will be social and affordable.
• Working with the HSE to deliver a new Primary Health Care Centre for Rathmines including maternity care, age friendly services and child and adolescent mental health services.

Speaking today, Fine Gael Minister Simon Coveney said: “James Geoghegan has already made a big impact as a Dublin City Councillor. He’s now going to bring those skills from local politics to national politics. James is a very strong Fine Gael candidate who will make a great TD.

“I’m asking all Fine Gael members and voters in Dublin Bay South to get all their effort and energy behind James to ensure he takes the seat.”

Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton said: “James has a proven track record from his work in Dublin City Council and I know he will make a superb TD for the people of Dublin Bay South.

“Earlier this year we launched a new initiative called the Safe Routes to School programme, which will see new cycling and walking projects prioritised – en route and front of school –  allowing our children to safely walk, cycle or scoot to school; James’ 15 minute city proposal expands on what we are trying to provide for school children and will deliver for all walks of life and journey types.”