Dunnes get go ahead for multi-million euro centre
THE State is refusing
“point blank” to tell the
High Court if an agreement exists permitting the British Royal Air
Force to intercept any aircraft posing a threat in Irish airspace, a judge has observed.
This is a position the Government, Ireland and the Attorney General are entitled to take, but it is not without its issues if Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell’s case is allowed to proceed, said Mr Justice Brian Cregan.
He is hearing the State’s preliminary application seeking to have the case dismissed pre-trial on grounds that he does not meet the standard for a challenge of this nature.
The State argues a matter such as this is non-justiciable unless there is “clear disregard” for the
Constitution.
Mr Craughwell alleges Ireland and the UK have a secret unlawful agreement allowing the RAF to intercept any aircraft that could be a threat to Irish airspace.
He says article 29.5.1 of the Constitution requires that such an arrangement must be laid before the Dáil and should also have been subject to a referendum vote.
Mr Craughwell said he was told that in 2005 former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern replied in the Dáil to a question about the RAF being called on to intercept a hijacked aircraft over Irish airspace.
Mr Ahern said there was “co-operation and a pre-agreed understanding on those matters”.
Previously, the State submitted that the 2005 statement from Mr
Ahern “did not get close” to stating that there was an international agreement that required Dáil approval.
Yesterday, Catherine Donnelly
SC, with David Fennelly, for the State, said Mr Craughwell merely makes a “bare assertion” that there is an agreement, which is “simply not enough”. The case was adjourned to May 16.
DUBLIN City Council has given the green light to retail giant, Dunnes Stores for a ‘landmark’ shopping centre for Crumlin.
It will be located in Dublin 12 and is expected to create up to 450 jobs.
The project was given the go-ahead after Dunnes firm, Better Value UC lodged revised plans earlier this year.
A planning report drawn up by KPMG Future Analytics states the scheme - which will include a new anchor unit for Dunnes Stores, a food market, cafe and medical centre.
Jobs
It is expected to create 450 jobs and 200 jobs during construction.
The construction phase - which will involve the demolition of the existing dilapidated shopping centre - is due to last 18 to 24 months.
KPMG Future Analytics contended the revised scheme “will regenerate the area” that will become “the focal point of the community and act as a catalyst for further redevelopment of the area”.
The consultants state that the project will deliver “a multi-million euro investment in the area” with plans for the reconfiguration of 400 car park spaces “required to support the commercial viability of the scheme”.