Dublin city centre safety
Mary Lou McDonald raised another serious incident in Dublin’s north inner city and criticised antisocial behaviour, poor supports and overstretched Garda resources. The Taoiseach said Gardaí had responded swiftly and that patrols remained in place.
I want to raise again the issue of safety in Dublin city centre. Sadly, today, we have had another incident on Parnell Square where children have been left frightened and traumatised. People who live in the inner city of Dublin and its communities are sick and tired of the ongoing antisocial behaviour and the sense of threat and dread, sick and tired of the lack of support and services, sick and tired of the Government hollowing out these communities and sick and tired of the fact the Garda resource is stretched beyond imagination.
They are absolutely incredulous of the fact that the Government claims the city centre is safe. I am very sorry to tell the Taoiseach - I say this as a proud Dubliner - that is not the case. We need serious action and proper investment of resources. The Taoiseach had a lot to say about setting up a task force in respect of Dublin. We have heard nothing back on that, and today we have circumstances in which small children and their parents are now very afraid again, which is not acceptable. We need statements on this and we need a concrete plan from the Government once and for all.