Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that he does not think the people of Drogheda have been listened to on all occasions by all agencies of the State and that “We really need to finish the job in regard to Drogheda.”
He was responding to a question from local deputy Fergus O’Dowd about the current dereliction problem in Narrow West Street and other areas of Drogheda.
“Narrow West Street in Drogheda is an historic street that goes back to medieval times” Deputy O’Dowd said. “At the moment, neither traffic nor pedestrians can access it because unscrupulous developers bought and held on to a listed building dating from 1760, which must now be demolished because it has fallen into a very dangerous state.
“The Derelict Sites Act must be overhauled and action must be taken. Historic buildings and streetscapes must not be allowed to fall into the utter dereliction we see on Narrow West Street.
“It is absolutely unforgivable that somebody can hold on to buildings and let them fall into dereliction and be demolished by the council without facing any penalty. One of the penalties must be that all costs the council has to bear will be paid by the developer.
“As with Drogheda Grammar School, I will fight to ensure the building on Narrow West Street rises again from the dust and debris and that the same thing is not allowed to happen to other historic buildings in this country.”
The Taoiseach responded by saying he will talk to the relevant Minister to see what the plans are regarding the Derelict Sites Act.
“I look forward to meeting very shortly with the Deputy and representatives of the community in Drogheda to talk about the task force we have discussed. We really need to finish the job in regard to Drogheda.”
