David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very grateful to the Cathaoirleach. I am sure this matter will be resolved; I am not expecting any special privileges. I appreciate the Cathaoirleach’s courtesy.

I understand the Taoiseach went on walkabout yesterday in the north inner city. I very much welcome this. It is about time and it is a good thing. The Taoiseach has been in the inner city five times since the recent emergency. I am extremely glad Fitzgibbon Street Garda station is being reopened. As Senators all know, I have campaigned in this House over a number of years to reopen the station, which is central to the policing of the inner city. It is in the area most affected by drugs. It is an area of considerable criminal activity, regrettably, and it is very necessary to have the police station open. I very much welcome the move.

Everything of value has been ripped out of the north inner city and it has been stuffed with drug clinics. While they are necessary, why concentrate them in an already deprived area? The local authorities have not implemented their own regulations on the development of derelict houses, rubbish, etc. It is time for a really concerted effort to save this area of our city, in which I am proud to live. The amounts of money invested so far are absolutely tiny. I hope this is just seed money because it does not compare favourably with the amount we are apparently happy to give away to the European Union as a result of leprechaun economics. Some €280 million has been just whizzed away. Small amounts of money are provided. I hope the money is just seed money and that there will be further progress.

I wish to raise a final matter about which I am sure a number of Senators feel the same way as I do. I have been contacted by people who run a charity shop in Carlow and who are being charged commercial rates. This is wrong.