LORD MAYOR OF Dublin Ray McAdam has urged the government to act quickly in appointing a “hands-on” new chair of the North East Inner City Taskforce (NEIC) following news that former Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin has stepped down.

Dublin City Council’s Marie Kavanagh emailed councillors last night to inform them that Gavin will no longer chair the taskforce. 

Gavin was appointed to the board by government in 2023 but temporarily stood back following his failed run for president last year. The former Dublin football manager withdrew from the presidential race after it emerged he owed money to a former tenant.

Kavanagh confirmed that the board will be chaired on an interim basis by Liz Canavan, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach, who has been in the role since October.

Speaking to The Journal, McAdam thanked Gavin for his service, adding that there has been a “little bit of a vacuum” since the summer regarding plans for a chair of the NEIC.

“I want to stress the need for urgency from government for a clear and rapid timeframe for selection of a successor,” he said.

The NEIC was established in 2016 as part of an initiative to oversee social and economic regeneration of the Dublin North East Inner City area following significant gangland violence.

In May 2023, Gavin took over the role as independent chair from businessman Michael Stone who had stepped down amid controversy over donations for Paschal Donohoe campaign posters.

The board meets every month and is made up key Government departments and agencies and community and business representatives.