Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)

Can we ask that the Minister for Justice attend today to explain why the barriers surrounding the International Protection Office on Mount Street have been up so long and when they are coming down? The Mount Street residents in Power's Court and Verschoyle Place have been living with tents and metal barriers in their neighbourhood for over 18 months. The tents are gone but the barriers remain. Residents are asking why the barriers are being allowed remain. Mount Street and the streets off it look derelict. There are weeds everywhere and rubbish. It is unkempt, untidy and has a kind of ghetto look to it. Grattan Street is a constant rat run and very dangerous. There are many family homes on that street. None of this is encouraging families to move into the inner city. The neglect of the inner city is ongoing. We should be encouraging families into the inner city. Local businesses on Grattan Street like Mamma Mia have seen their turnover go off a cliff but they are still expected to pay rates by Dublin City Council. They were encircled with barriers and their business has gone down the tubes. They need support.The council is not supporting local businesses and it needs to. Given the lack of respect State agencies show to residents and the lack of input local residents have in their own communities, why would they agree to anything the Government proposes? That is the reality. Residents are treated like second class citizens and are then expected to be cheerleaders for the Government. That will just not happen. For social cohesion to be maintained, dialogue needs to be a two-way street.