Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this motion put forward by my colleague, Deputy Ward. Two weeks ago, a young woman in the park in Ringsend was hit in the forehead by rocket. When I say there was a hole in her head, I am not exaggerating. It was horrendous. It was an image that could not be unseen and was hard to get out of one's mind. It was traumatic, I imagine, for the poor woman.

This year, the community development section in Dublin City Council has not been able to plan community activities around Hallowe'en, as it has done in recent years. The fireworks seem to be particularly bad this year. They seem stronger in their power, the people using them are being more reckless and they started to let off these fireworks in June and July. I do not think it is a coincidence that we have a particular problem this year. The Garda used to have a community schools programme but that is no longer running. That would be an effective way of addressing this issue, although it might not be as trendy or fashionable as looking for social media influencers.

Dublin City Council community development section has developed amazing projects in recent years. Those projects have effectively turned what in many ways were no-go areas around Hallowe'en into locations with really exciting and enjoyable activities, in which there was major engagement by local communities. It is also important to recognise and acknowledge the positive work community gardaí do. I mentioned the schools programme but I know that the Cabbage Garden, not too far from here, at Kevin Street, was a no-go area for years, especially in the run-up to and during Hallowe'en. The work of the community development team in Dublin City Council and the community gardaí, however, made last year a real success, turned around all the antisocial behaviour, drug dealing and trouble for residents and made Hallowe'en a very enjoyable experience. The same goes for Ringsend, where Dublin City Council developed a great community project that really made a difference to everyone in the area.

To offer something positive and a possible solution, therefore, I believe that if Dublin City Council's community development team had the funding, it would be possible to ensure that more great projects could happen and that problems, such as the events we have been experiencing this year, would not be so prevalent. The community projects developed by Dublin City Council must be resourced. The inner city has been forgotten about for long enough and we must provide proper resources to that area.

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