Siptu to view plans for Liberty Hall site
Plans for a replacement for Liberty Hall are expected to be put to Siptu’s executive for approval next month and planning permission could be sought as early as March. Siptu general secretary Joe O’Flynn said the union was “very pleased” with the initial design of Dublin-based architect Des McMahon, who won an international competition to design a replacement for what was once Ireland’s highest building. He said the redesigned building would be slightly taller than Liberty Hall, primarily because the floor-to-ceiling heights would be higher, but he added: “We’re not looking to be the highest building in Dublin.” Mr O’Flynn said the intention was to apply for planning permission this year with a view to putting the building out to tender next year for development. He said it was no longer the union’s intention to demolish Liberty Hall this year because of the centenary celebrations to mark the founding of the ITGWU in 1909, but there were no plans to defer the new building because of the recession.
