Fine Gael committed to bringing out the best in Dublin

Dublin City Taskforce model to be applied to other towns and cities in need of revitalisation

Fine Gael has today (Friday) restated its commitment to transforming Dublin City Centre into a more vibrant, a safer and a more attractive destination in which to live, work, open a business and to welcome tourists. Crucially, the Party will also apply this model to other towns and cities across the country that are in need of revitalisation.

Speaking in Dublin today, at an event attended by Fine Gael General Election candidates*, Minister Paschal Donohoe said: “One of the last acts of the outgoing Government was to appoint a dedicated Dublin City Taskforce to provide a holistic plan to further rejuvenate our much loved city centre. The focus of this is on coordinating efforts between national and local government and businesses, as well as civic and cultural organisations to maximise everything we have to offer.

“This time last year our city hit an all-time low, with scenes of an unspeakable nature witnessed on our main thoroughfare. This week, we continue to think of those who were most severely impacted by what happened and keep them in our thoughts. In the last year, Gardaí have worked extremely hard on the investigation and the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee has taken a number of actions to strengthen the Gardaí in their work to keep our streets safe. So far 57 arrests have been made and I am pleased that justice is being served.

“Our attention now is on the best ways in which to develop our great city. The Taskforce has provided recommendations to improve the city centre’s public realm and safety, and to improve the experience people have in the city.  Dublin City is a magical place.  It is up to us to now ensure that the very best of it is brought to the fore so that everyone feels safe to enjoy it. We will do this by implementing, in full, the Taskforce recommendations, with a focus on revitalising O’Connell St; delivering more visible policing and security; and transforming derelict sites, converting them to high-density residential  units to ensure the re-population of our city streets.”

In addition, Fine Gael will:

• Introduce improved security measures in the city centre with increased CCTV coverage and a targeted response to reduce open drug use.

• Redevelop the GPO, reinforcing its role as a central landmark in Dublin.

• Provide funding and resources to enhance the National Concert Hall.

• Collaborate with cultural institutions to offer more late-night events and extended opening hours.

• Continue to back the North East Inner City Programme which has had great success in  strengthening community safety, boosting educational and employment opportunities, improving wellbeing, and enhancing the physical landscape.

• Incentivise conservation-led investment in the North Georgian Core, from Parnell Square to Mountjoy Square, to revitalise historic buildings and improve public spaces.

• Produce a plan to reduce the concentration of temporary accommodation, drug treatment facilities, and other essential services in Dublin City Centre.

• Fund 6,000 new Garda recruits over the next five years 

• Re-launch the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) to provide for a new capital injection to regenerate Ireland’s five cities and other large towns.

Minister Donohoe concluded by saying: “Dublin is a magnificent city; the place in which I grew up and I hold it very dear to my heart. I am fully committed to seeing that the Taskforce recommendations are implemented and that new life is breathed back into our capital city once again. I look forward to seeing the difference this makes to our capital city and also to the application of this model to other towns and cities that are in need of revitalisation across the country.”