Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the approval yesterday by the Government of the city task force, a plan for Dublin city. This is a really important moment in the history of our capital. The plan has three primary objectives, namely, to get more people living in the city, to have safer and cleaner public streets and public spaces. and to have an always-on vibrant city that respects our heritage. They are three no-brainer objectives that we should all be able to get behind. We first called for a dedicated authority to regenerate the inner city back in 2018.Unfortunately, we were not in government at the time, but those who are now in government have thankfully seen the light and we have a city task force. In that intervening period, however, much damage has been done to the inner city and the world has changed. The inner city is the heart of our capital and we must ensure this city task force is successful. I commend the Government on bringing forward a comprehensive roadmap. It is a ten-year plan, which acknowledges and signals the seriousness of the issue and the commitment required to make it successful. There are three phases of delivery and five key strands of work.

Not for the first time, I ask that we have a debate in this House with the Taoiseach on the city task force. It is important, not only for those of us who live in the city, but for our country. Dublin city is the first place that many visitors to this island arrive into. The impression they receive is incredibly important and we must ensure that it not only looks its best, but that it is at its best.