Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The austerity years saw previous Governments introduce devastating cuts to vital services, which left many communities across this city feeling like they had to fend for themselves. The fallout from cutbacks in Garda numbers can be seen on our streets. Although Garda staffing has been restored to close to the levels we had in 2008, gardaí are still not visible in our communities. Those numbers have begun to drop again, with the latest Garda figures now showing we have 200 fewer gardaí than we had in 2020. The day-to-day experience of those seeking help from the Garda is that complaints are not followed up.

The recent scenes in Cherry Orchard were a reality check for some, but it is only because they were caught on video that they got so much attention. They are an example of what residents in communities in Dublin have to put up with. Such scenes of antisocial behaviour are not uncommon.

We all have the right to feel safe in our communities, and residents have the right to expect protection from the Garda when gangs run riot in robbed cars, intimidate residents and openly sell drugs on our streets. Many residents in my community feel like prisoners in their own homes, which is simply not good enough.

According to the figures on the Department of Justice website, there are roughly 150 fewer gardaí in Dublin this year than there were at the end of 2020. This has an impact on the city centre. Talbot Street and North Earl Street are two streets that come to mind where open dealing is seen. That area is derelict. It has shuttered and closed up shops dotted around it and really needs regeneration.

The latest "RTÉ Investigates" piece shone a light on how O'Connell Street has become extremely neglected. It is heartbreaking to see the once vibrant city centre being allowed to rot. It is time we restored some life into this city in the form of a living city, with a spirit at the heart of it. We need to look at how we start attracting small and medium-sized businesses back into the city so we do not see all these shuttered shopfronts everywhere we turn.

There are so many galleries, museums and other cultural hubs throughout Dublin, leaving people with a real sense of the history and culture of the place. However, there is no doubt but that we could do more to promote both Irish culture and other cultures that have emerged in Dublin in recent decades. The plans to demolish the Cobblestone were a recent example of how much those seeking to develop our city could not care less about the significance of cultural hot spots. Those plans led to demonstrations, and people showed their disgust at the proposals put forward.

We in Sinn Féin have long argued that Moore Street be turned into a historical quarter that showcases the rich history of the area and commemorates the men and women who fought and died in the area during the 1916 Rising. It would make economic sense, would give the area a face-lift and would be a huge attraction to tourists.

Dublin city is crying out for leadership in respect of the use of public spaces, forward planning and general regeneration that is so badly needed. While we await the report of the citizens' assembly and the result of any vote that may follow, it seems to me that a directly elected mayor for Dublin could be a breath of fresh air if we do it right. The office of the mayor would need to be resourced from central government. A mayor would provide an element of accountability in how our city is run. We need to look at how we make the city more affordable and accessible for the younger generations living in it. We need to make it warm and inviting for them to socialise in it. It is their city too, and we should all aim to pass on to them a city of which we, the people of Dublin, can be proud.

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