Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We would also like to acknowledge the sadness that has been felt by many families and communities in recent days.

I want to return to Thursday, 16 February, when the Taoiseach and a number of Ministers, officials and the media came to a hall in the north inner city to launch the report compiled by Mr. Kieran Mulvey. The immediate impetus for the report was a number of murders, some of which happened in the area, but all of them relating to the area.

However, there was a much longer lead-in to what was actually happening. That came about because of the neglect and indifference of many governments to the area and to the issues there. It also came from budget cuts, as well as financial and economic policies, that adversely and disproportionately affected that area. This was especially the case for community and voluntary organisations, schools and gardaí. In addition, it concerned the way in which drugs were allowed to take hold and devastate individuals and communities. Policies to deal with that were not matched with the necessary resources to implement them. The report acknowledged all of that, including the neglect, dereliction, crime, open drug dealing and poor housing.

The report also acknowledged the area's potential and the community's solidarity. There was extensive community engagement whose driving force was the North Inner City Community Coalition. That coalition organised groups, families and individuals to come together in a number of working parties to deal with education, arts and culture, drugs, crime and sports as they affect young people. The coalition made a substantial submission and although hopes were high, the report fell short of expectations. The report was strong on what needs to be done but less so on how and when. Ironically, there was no mention of drugs, and other key areas were also left out.

As outlined in a letter to the Taoiseach, the coalition confirmed its commitment to the process, but it has to bring about fundamental change. For that to happen, it needs a coherent, integrated, radical and innovative approach, and not the same talk and false promises. The voice of the community has to be heard, and their concerns relate to community involvement at all levels. The ten-member board has only one community representative, so that must be addressed. Following his own personal engagement there, the Taoiseach knows the wealth of experience, insight and knowledge of the people from the community. There are concerns about the timeframe for implementing the process, so when will it start? There are also concerns about funding which must be open and transparent. Committed funding should be additional, rather than money that has already been earmarked for the area.

There are also questions about the independent chair, the role of Dublin City Council, and the need for a long-term commitment regardless of who is in government. The danger is that when the meetings and consultations are over, the report will be left to gather dust. The Taoiseach indicated that he would meet the convenors. He should, therefore, name a date as soon as possible so that those areas can be addressed. That would mean that the report will have a chance to be acted upon.

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