State to approve taskforce aimed at improving 'inner cordon' of capital

The taskforce will bring forward recommendations to improve the experience in Dublin city centre.

A new taskforce aimed at improving Dublin city will get Government approval today.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has made the taskforce a priority since his election. It is understood that the group will focus on the "inner cordon" of the capital. 

The aim of the taskforce is to bring forward concrete recommendations to improve the public realm, safety, and experience in the city centre and make it a "more thriving, attractive and safe cityscape" as well as improving its desirability as a location to live, work, do business and visit.

⁠It will look at the use of cultural spaces, the public transport network, and issues around anti-social behaviour and litter, and will be led by an independent chair and will include representatives from An Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council, and the National Transport Authority, among others.

⁠The taskforce will deliver its recommendations to the Taoiseach and the Government for consideration within 12 weeks.

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB

Also at Cabinet, Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin will say Ireland is "accelerating preparations" to host the Irish Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2026.

The presidency, currently held by Belgium, will require the hosting of between 16 and 20 informal ministerial meetings in Ireland, including hosting an informal European Council meeting and potentially a meeting of the European Political Community.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is in the midst of planning the costs of the presidency which cost France €148m, Czech Republic €100m, Sweden €121m, and Spain €170m.

Preliminary work will commence in the coming weeks on developing a presidency logo, a cultural programme, and a sustainability policy.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will update Cabinet on the delivery of the elective hospitals and surgical hubs, telling colleagues that the HSE has now appointed a health planning team for the Cork and Galway elective hospitals.

Tender documents have issued to shortlisted candidates for detailed design projects, with final teams to be appointed over the summer.

A two-site solution for Dublin is the preferred plan at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and at the current Children’s Hospital site, Crumlin.

The HSE is also developing new "surgical hubs" in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford, Mr Donnelly will tell ministers.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Norma Foley will seek approval for the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme for the 2024/25 school year.

It is expected that over 563,000 children and young people in 3,227 primary and special schools will benefit from the scheme in the coming school year.

The scheme provides free schoolbooks, workbooks, and copybooks for all children in recognised primary and special schools.

Separately, Media Minister Catherine Martin will bring three long-awaited reports into RTÉ’s governance, which will recommend changes to employee contracts, allowances, and oversight. 

Among the recommendations of one report will be major changes to how salaries are structured at RTÉ, going beyond a €250,000 pay cap suggested by the broadcaster’s director general Kevin Bakhurst last year.