Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join the Cathaoirleach and the Deputy Leader in welcoming Ambassador Grineviius, embassy staff and Deputy Dempsey. I would also like to wish all the Lithuanians in Ireland and around the world a very happy national day. I congratulate Lithuanians on their sustained independence. That is not a small achievement in our modern world and I congratulate them and salute them for that.

The Government recognises that Ireland deserves a capital that is safe, more vibrant and livable for everyone, and recognises the challenges faced by the capital. As a consequence, the Dublin City task force was established so that an holistic, all-encompassing and comprehensive approach could be taken to addressing the challenges and revitalising the city centre. The task force builds on a proposal that I first made back in 2018, as the Deputy Leader may recall. Deputy John Lahart was the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for Dublin. At that time, we did bring forward legislation for an inner city development authority. Unfortunately, it was voted down by other parties but the Dublin City task force builds on our proposal to bring together the community, businesses and the statutory authorities to address the challenges of deprivation and dereliction but, more importantly, to champion the inner city.

I welcome the progress that has been made this week because Dublin City Council has announced the establishment of a special purpose vehicle, SPV. I call for more ambition and urgency around the city task force. Our city is one of the greatest capitals in Europe. Our inner city deserves the championing and the combined focus of the statutory authorities, businesses and the community to work together under the city task force.

The expected budget for the task force is €1 billion. We need urgency and ambition to realise cleaner streets, a safer environment, a more vibrant city and, most importantly, a more liveable city. On that basis, I ask her to arrange a debate with the Taoiseach in the Seanad on the Dublin city task force so that we can, as a Seanad, engage and support its work.