Daithí Doolan, Sinn Féin Leader on Dublin City Council and European election candidate for Dublin, has said that Fine Gael has no credibility when it comes to keeping Dublin communities safe.

Cllr Doolan said that Dublin communities have been badly let down by Fine Gael, and that the capital requires a permanent and sustainable policing presence, and that youth, addiction and diversionary programmes must be properly resourced.

He was responding to reports that Taoiseach Simon Harris had met with the DCC CEO and the Garda Commissioner to speed up efforts at establishing a taskforce to improve the safety and the experience of people in Dublin city centre.

Cllr Doolan said:

“If Fine Gael was actually serious about improving community safety in our capital city, they would prioritise visible policing and properly resource vital diversionary programmes such as youth services and addiction services.

“Instead, over the past fortnight, what we have seen from Simon Harris has been a desperate attempt to rescue his own political future with rhetoric of Law and Order.

“Simon Harris is fooling nobody. After 13 years of Fine Gael Ministers for Justice, they have no credibility when it comes to keeping Dublin communities safe.

“People who live, work and socialise in our capital do not feel safe. Yet under Fine Gael’s watch, Gardaí have seen their funding and numbers slashed in real terms compared to Dublin’s rising population.

“Sinn Féin has been regularly meeting businesses, workers and others who are daily users of the city. The consensus is clear, visible policing is needed urgently.

“In January, a Sinn Féin motion was passed by Dublin City councillors to work with all relevant public bodies and stakeholders, including the Garda Síochána and government departments, to improve community safety and confidence in all parts of our city.

“There has been no meaningful action by the government since, and the people of Dublin deserve better than soundbites from the Taoiseach and more tinkering around the edges by the Minister for Justice.

“Among our calls was for the establishment of a dedicated public transport policing unit on DART, Luas, Irish Rail and Dublin Bus routes – a proposal that government parties have consistently rejected.

“I welcome that the Tánaiste Micheál Martin made a u-turn on this issue at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, committing to establishing a public transport police unit, but there was no timeline given. Vague promises just don’t cut it anymore.

“Our city is still suffering from the effects of Fine Gael cuts to youth, diversionary and addiction services. Why? Because Fine Gael is a party that does not value the contribution these services make to reducing crime and supporting communities.

“Sinn Féin is committed to investing in policing to ensure people in our capital city feel safe and protected, and investing in services that support our communities.”