Daithí Doolan, Sinn Féin Leader on Dublin City Council and European election candidate for Dublin, has called for the government to ensure that businesses and workers are represented on the taskforce to make Dublin a more attractive and safer city.

Cllr Doolan said:

“Three years ago, Sinn Fein highlighted the difficulties being faced by Dublin city centre and called for the government to work with communities, with local politicians, and with business and workers, to make Dublin city a safe, exciting and enjoyable place for people to live, work and spend their time.

“In the time that has passed, the situation in Dublin city has deteriorated. 

“The city has been ignored by those in power and it has particularly suffered from a complete lack of joined-up thinking by government, Garda under-resourcing and lack of a visible Garda presence, overcrowded public transport, dereliction, broken footpaths and dirty streets, as well as escalating anti-social behaviour.

“I welcome the establishment of the taskforce to make Dublin a more attractive and safer city. But it is essential that Dublin Chamber, trade unions representing workers, and community organisations working in the city, are included on the taskforce.

“If we want to make Dublin city a safe and attractive place for people to live, work and spend time, then we have to offer people a greater experience in the city.

“We need to ensure Dublin city offers people a safe and relaxed atmosphere, pedestrianised streets to stroll peacefully through and look in shop windows and pop in and out of shops, we need outdoor dining and drinking spaces, we need true public spaces where people can relax, and we need outdoor and indoor markets.

“We also need public spaces for arts and culture, public toilets, a public transport network that works, more bins and clean streets, a visible Garda presence and, above all, we need to make sure Dublin city caters for all who live, work and visit our city.

“If we make Dublin city a safe, enjoyable, and exciting place, then more people will be willing to visit the city centre more often and spend time enjoying themselves. 

“By extension, more people will be willing to spend in our shops, pubs, and restaurants, which will sustain businesses, create jobs, and keep money in the local Dublin economy.

“There is scope here to reimagine and repurpose Dublin city in a bid to secure a positive future for the capital and its people.”