Swift progress is required to advance a pivotal Dublin Central redevelopment, the Lord Mayor has said. Councillor Ray McAdam called the former Carlton Cinema site one of the capital's most important regeneration opportunities and said it should be addressed urgently by the incoming head of the Dublin 2050 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

Councillor McAdam said: "After years of delay this site still lies idle. Dublin cannot afford to see such a strategically important city centre location left in limbo any longer.

"The time has now come for the state to consider intervening and purchasing these lands in the public interest. "With the appointment of a first Director General of the new Dublin 2050 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), there is now an opportunity to deliver here. Once established, that SPV should be tasked with preparing a development agreement to finally unlock the full potential of this site.

"We need action on this. These lands should be delivering a high-quality, mixed-use development with homes, retail, commercial activity, cultural uses and public space in a way that strengthens both O'Connell Street and Moore Street, and the community as a whole.

"The regeneration of this site will breathe new life into the north inner city.

"With plans for the Metrolink to pass under the site it is vital that we ensure development of the whole site and that it works with the plans for the project.

"Dublin has waited long enough. If the redevelopment of this site cannot be delivered after all these years, then we must be prepared to step-in and lead.

"This is exactly the kind of intervention the new Director General should be driving," concluded Councillor McAdam.