A taskforce aiming to tackle anti social behaviour, crime and the grime of Dublin city is set to be established by Fine Gael.
It follows a Prime Time episode which s howcased open drug use and dealing, filth and violence on O'Connell Street. The street, which is rich in history from the former site of Nelson's Pillar to the GPO, has been in decline for some time, and Wexford TD Paul Kehoe told the Dail he was "ashamed" of the street which is full of "druggies".
Cabra-Glasnevin Councillor Colm O’Rourke got agreement from his party colleagues at Fine Gael' s Ard Fheis to establish the taskforce looking at how to improve the city centre. He said: “I remain a proud Dub, but my heart is broken.
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"Dublin City at the moment is not the Fair City we all love but perceived as Dublin’s Fear City - where the streets are so shabby. And what is needed is further action, the type of action that people can see.
"We don't want more discussions about our capital to drag on, so it might seem ironic for a Taskforce to be established, but it is needed, not for more discussion but action! Solving the current issues in Dublin City is not down to one person, one department or one agency.
He added: "It requires the joined-up thinking of many people, and many agencies - the sort of joined-up thinking which hasn't happened to date. In particular, I believe that Dublin City Council has a significant role to play in ‘designing out’ anti-social behaviour and crime - as one of the best ways for safer, stronger communities are the creation of well-designed and lively public spaces.
"This Taskforce should be about legislation and bringing several authorities together, like Dublin City Council, to create safe spaces. Equally, the focus shouldn't be on one area or street of our city - but on the city as a whole.
"Focus on one street, and the problem gets pushed to other streets and we are back to square one. Again, I want to thank both the Minister for Justice and the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána for the actions they have taken so far.
"Although the issues remaining are bad, I believe we would be in a far worse position if these actions weren't taken to date."
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