An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-09
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Mark Duffy (FG), Labour Panel

I wish to highlight discussions on urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, and rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, funding.
As the Leader knows, the URDF is a substantial fund for urban regeneration development. We have benefited from it in the innovation quarter of my home town of Ballina. Proposals around additional URDF projects need to be pursued in consultation with the local community, no matter where that is and what town that is. There are proposals and discussions for the quay area in Ballina, which is the jewel in the crown in terms of the setting of the town. There is a very vibrant business community there. Indeed, it is a very vibrant and active recreational location. It employs over 100 people. The businesses that are there are very much complementary to the whole area. I ask that in any discussions on urban regeneration and development, we act in a cohesive and inclusive manner, we make sure interventions are made not to displace businesses but to support them, and we pursue projects that are not unnecessary but are practical to make sense for businesses. Boho Barista, Coast Hair, Noo Chocolates, Bella Beauty, Paul Kilcullen Physical Therapy, Roots Wellness, Studio Five Reformer Pilates, Ella and Joe, and Turning Tides are among some of the on-site businesses that offer a positive lifestyle experience in this part of the town. Other businesses in the area include Quay West, Keane's bar and shop, and the Ice House Hotel. Any intervention that is made - I refer, for example, to outdoor seating, covered and sheltered seating, proper lighting infrastructure or car parking facilities - needs to be done in a way that makes sense for the businesses and the visitors who enjoy that space. There are many boat users and outdoor recreational users in that area, and it needs to be practical and make sense for them. Therefore, I am calling for the businesses on this site, which contribute so much to the area, to be consulted and listened to properly before any measures or interventions are carried out.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-09