Northside Community Forum is calling for the establishment of a process of facilitated dialogue to allow the concerns of the community of Coolock and key stakeholders to be heard, and where possible addressed, with regard to the proposed development of the former Crown Paint factory as an accommodation centre to house 500 international protection applicants.

In making this proposal we ask that an independent organisation, that has expertise in the area of community engagement, mediation and conflict resolution, be commissioned to undertake a process of facilitated dialogue across the community.

The process would seek to engage with all key stakeholders from across the community including:

• Residents protesting at the former Crown Paint site with genuine concerns
• Residents living in the vicinity of the site
• Young people who have been involved or impacted by the protest
• Members of new communities living in the area
• Public Representatives
• Community and voluntary sector organisations working in the area
• The local business community, workers and trade unions
• Site developer
• Dublin City Council
• Relevant Statutory Bodies and Government Departments

This call for a process of facilitated dialogue comes about following a meeting of the Northside Community Forum held on Wednesday the 24th of July and the concerns expressed by forum members with regard to recent events in Coolock.

About Northside Community Forum
Northside Community Forum is a member-based network of community groups that operate in the Dublin Bay North area. Northside Community Forum offers a safe space where ideas and views on issues and opportunities can be exchanged, where cooperation can take place between organisations or groups. It provides a collective voice for local community groups.

The call for a process of facilitated dialogue is supported by Forum members:

• Archways
• Artane Coolock Family Resource Centre
• Community Law & Mediation
• Coolock Development Council
• Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Ltd
• Darndale Belcamp Village Centre CLG
• Discovery CTC
• Donnycarney Youth Project
• Doras Buí
• Kilbarrack Coast Community Project
• Kilmore West Youth Project
• LeChéile Donnycarney Community Centre
• Moatview Early Education Centre
• NEAR FM
• New Life Centre
• Northside Citizens Information Centre
• Northside Counselling Service
• Northside Partnership
• PACE
• Priorswood Parish Centre
• Speedpak
• Sphere 17
• St. Benedict’s Resource Centre
• St John Vianney FC
• St. Monica’s Youth Project CLG

This call is also supported by:

• Blue Drum
• DCU Office of Civic Engagement
• St. Monica’s Youth Resource Centre