Fine Gael committed to “bringing out the best in Dublin”

One week out from election day, Fine Gael has reiterated 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.”

They said the template they are using to improve Dublin will be used to improve towns and cities across Ireland that “are in need of revitalisation.”

Dublin Central TD and 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.””

Should they get back into government, Fine Gael said they would bring in increased security measures in the city centre such as increasing CCTV coverage and will look to clamp down on “open drug use.”

Fine Gael said they would redevelop the GPO, with a view to making it a central landmark of Dublin.

More funding for the National Concert Hall and working with local cultural hubs to extend opening hours have also been promised by Fine Gael as they look to secure it’s 14th year in power.

Funding for 6,000 new Garda recruits over the next five years and well as a re-launch of Urban Regeneration and Development Fund have also been promised by the party, with the latter looking to provide “a new capital injection to regenerate Ireland’s five cities and other large towns.”

Minister Donohoe said” 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.”