Inaugural Meeting of the Interim Advisory Board to Dublin City Council's proposed Special Purpose Vehicle to Lead Taoiseach’s Taskforce

The inaugural meeting of the Interim Advisory Board to Dublin City Council’s proposed Special Purpose Vehicle to lead the Taoiseach’s Taskforce was held today at the Mansion House. 

16 representatives were officially appointed to the Interim Advisory Board including Chairperson, David McRedmond, who previously acted as the Independent Chair and member of the Dublin City Taskforce, established by Government in May 2024. 

The Interim Advisory Board, whose membership includes the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Dublin City Councillors Colm O’Rourke, Cian Farrell, Kourtney Kenny, Nial Ring and Deirdre Heney, will act as advisors alongside sectoral interest representatives covering areas including finance, media & corporate affairs, retail & news communities, institutional investment, legal, public administration & community, transport & placemaking and housing & academia. 

In collaboration with Dublin City Council’s Elected members and its Executive, the Interim Advisory Board will guide the work of Dublin City Council’s newly established Project Management Unit to deliver across the 10 ‘Big Moves’ outlined in the Taoiseach’s Taskforce Report, the Inter Departmental Group’s Roadmap for Delivery 2025 and Dublin City Council’s Urban Redevelopment Rejuvenation Framework and Report 2025 - 2028. 

Mr. Robert Watt, who today also assumed office as Head of Dublin City Council's newly formed Project Management Unit and CEO Designate of the Council's proposed Special Purpose Vehicle when constituted, will oversee and implement the Taoiseach's Taskforce Report. 

Following the inaugural meeting of the Interim Advisory Board, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam said, “Today is about delivery. My mayoral theme is Celebrating Dublin. To me, that means honouring everything we love about our city but also having the ambition to make it better. The Taskforce established by then Taoiseach Simon Harris gave Dublin a roadmap. Now we have to turn that roadmap into results. With David McRedmond chairing the Interim Advisory Board, Robert Watt leading the Project Management Unit, and Dublin City Council driving the work, we have the focus, structure and mandate to deliver. Celebrating Dublin means building a city centre that is safer, cleaner, greener, more vibrant and more welcoming. A city centre worthy of Dubliners, worthy of our capital, and worthy of the future we want to build together." 

Chair David McRedmond said, “The launch of the Interim Advisory Board is an important milestone. The serious implementation of the Taskforce recommendations begins here. Robert Watt as CEO will build a great team to ensure the rapid transformation of Dublin 1 to benefit residents, the people of greater Dublin, local businesses, and tourists." 

Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive, Dublin City Council said, “The inaugural meeting of the Interim Advisory Board is a significant moment for Dublin city centre, and the delivery of the Taoiseach’s Taskforce recommendations. Informed by users of the city, the interim board reflects the careful consideration of stakeholders, residents and delivery partners of the city, who have played a key role in reimagining and rejuvenating the city centre. Dublin City Council will continue to lead in delivering the Taoiseach’s Taskforce, supporting Robert Watt and his team in driving real, meaningful change.”

Following his appointment today, Robert Watt said: “Today marks an exciting milestone in the implementation of the Taoiseach’s Taskforce. It reflects the strong partnership between the Government, Dublin City Council, commercial stakeholders and citizens and delivery partners alike, in shaping Dublin’s future to revitalise the city for generations to come. Working with the newly appointed Interim Advisory Board and the Special Purpose Vehicle when constituted, we will drive real progress at pace.” 

ENDS