Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his input to the debate and the views he has raised. In fairness to the Taoiseach, he was only in his second or third week in the role when he established a task force to take a view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin city centre, both north and south.

We can all welcome the focus brought by Government on measures which will hopefully make all the difference. The goal is to make the whole of Dublin city centre a more thriving, attractive, and safe cityscape - the Deputy spoke of the gardaí and the great work they do - and a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit.

We can also agree on the value David McRedmond will bring to the role as independent chair of the task force. Over the next 12 weeks, Mr. McRedmond will lend his wealth of insight and experience as the task force carries out its work. However, that work is only the beginning. At the end of July, the task force will submit for the Government's consideration a cohesive and focused list of recommendations it feels could galvanise actions to make Dublin city centre a better place to live in, work in and visit. The outcome of these actions will deliver on a shared vision of central Dublin's public space, both north and south. We want to make Dublin city centre a better place for locals, as well as visitors and tourists who come to enjoy all the wonderful amenities it has to offer.

We all wish the task force the best of luck. Its work is only beginning and we will all await the output at the end of July.

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