Dublin city councillors have voted to recommend the policy for the city's new development plan.
The amendment to the Building Height Policy will allow developments in excess of 16 storeys in the city centre at three locations: Dublin City Centre; Heuston and Connolly Stations; and the Docklands.
Mid-rise buildings of up to 16 residential storeys will now be allowed in Phibsboro while the inner-city could see residential developments of up to eight storeys.
The outer-city would have residential developments of up to six storeys, with the exception of five areas where buildings of up to 16 storeys would be allowed in Ballymun, North Fringe, Pelletstown, Cherry Orchard and the Naas Road.
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However, Fine Gael Housing spokesman Terence Flanagan responded to the news today expressing serious concern regarding the policy, saying that fire safety provisions are already insufficient and a disaster is waiting to happen.
Mr Flanagan said: "There is a disaster waiting to happen and I have previously called for this high-rise plan to be abandoned because of fire safety concerns.
"Fire safety in high rise apartments is a shambles in Ireland as there are only there are only 10 Fire Inspectors dedicated for Dublin; there is no Fire Investigation Unit in Ireland; the latest Dublin Report highlighted 75% of private apartment complexes did not have proper fire safety provisions; and there is no single body responsible for fire safety in apartments."
The Fine Gael spokesman added that he had been campaigning for fire safety concerns to be addressed in the Multi-Unit Development Bill but the issue had been "ignored" by the Fianna Fáil Government.
"As a result, there is nobody taking responsibility for fire safety matters," he said.
The changes to building height were agreed by 28 votes to 18 at a meeting of councillors last night and will go for public consultation in the New Year.
(DW/BMcC)
