The Dublin City Taskforce has recommended 1,000 extra Gardai be deployed to ensure greater safety in the city.
The group has made 10 recommendations to improve security.
The taskforce also proposes an increase in private security on public transport, giving them extra powers, establishing a city warden programme to support policing, and upgrading the CCTV network and enact legislation for real time monitoring.
The Taskforce was appointed by the Government in May 2024 to take a holistic view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre, north and south.
The Taskforce was mandated to take an evidence-informed approach in its work and to provide recommendations to improve the City Centre’s public realm, safety, and experience. The goal is to make Dublin City Centre a more thriving, attractive, and safe cityscape; and a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit.
New Vision
Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Simon Harris, said: “When I became Taoiseach, I said we needed a plan of action to renew and our city centre.
“We need our city centre to be a place that attracts more people to live, work, do business and visit. I welcome the taskforce’s recommendations particularly the focus on revitalising O’Connell street and making great use of the iconic GPO building.
“I want a new vision for our capital city for the young, old and tourists who want to continue to visit our city centre time and time again. It deserves a brighter future. It deserves dedicated resources, and it deserves a vision. We now have it.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin says: “This Government is committed to breathing new life into our capital city – for the communities who live and work there, and for those who come to visit Dublin city centre. The publication of this report is another key step in that process, and we will now consider the ‘Big Moves’ put forward by the Taskforce.”
Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr James Geoghegan says: “Dublin is a fantastic place, a city steeped in culture, arts, music, and history. The implementation of the recommendations in this Report will deliver a Dublin that the whole country can be proud of.”
Safety and Security
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee says: “I will continue to prioritise safety and security on the streets of our capital city. It is imperative that people are safe and feel safe.
Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association says: “We are glad to see these recommendations published and that security considerations have been strongly to the fore. Pubs, hospitality and other businesses in the city have been pressing for stronger security for quite some time with a view to making our city safer.
“What is key is how quickly these will be implemented and the Government turns these words into action. Security concerns continue to be a problem so work must begin addressing these recommendations immediately.
The solutions must start now. There also must be someone accountable for these recommendations, ensuring they come to life and aren’t left to gather dust once the lights from the press announcement fades.”
Head of Penneys Ireland and Northern Ireland Fintan Costello says: “With our global headquarters on Parnell Street and two flagship Penneys stores on Mary Street and O’Connell Street, Primark has been at the heart of Dublin’s city centre for over 50 years.
“We want to see Dublin city centre at its best: a thriving, healthy place to live, work and enjoy. Retail plays a key role in all of these.
“While we welcome the progress made to date, today’s report is a critical step in the journey to delivering a better Dublin for all and investment in safeguarding the future of our much loved city.
“We hope the recommendations are resourced and enforced as a priority, we are certainly committed to doing whatever we can to support.”
