Press Release 1st December 2008
When is a Closing Date not a Closing date?
RfR have learnt that An Bord Pleanala have continued to accept submissions in relation to the Railway application for Metro North – over four weeks after the publicised closing date of 29th October 2008.
Dublin City Council (DCC), Fingal County Council and the Ballymun Regeneration Project have all had late submissions accepted – with DCC only making their submission on the 24th November. Residents, Residents Associations and Groups however complied with the closing date, as set down in the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 – abiding with the very tight 6 week timeframe for making submissions and despite the public information meetings with the Independent Expert (GWP) on the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) being held just 4 to 8 working days before the completed submissions were due.
RfR were extremely disappointed that these meetings were not advertised nor did the RPA carry out mail shots or radio advertising as suggested by GWP following the poor attendance at the first meeting. RfR are concerned as to why the RPA chose not to advertise the information meetings.
GWP are due to publish their full report on the EIS, and issues raised during the public information meetings, on 5th December.
RfR feel that residents who have not yet made submissions, or who were perhaps waiting for the Independent Expert’s report, should be aware that exceptions seem to be being made in relation to the actual closing date for submissions.
RfR negotiated for and welcomed the provision of independent expert advice. However we are concerned that the terms of reference as set out in the Independent Expert tender documents appear to have changed since the appointment of GWP, to now incorporate a mediation role. RfR questions how the role of mediation is catered for within the contract and indeed within the strategic planning process. RfR are asking all public representatives to seek clarification on this for residents.
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