Head of new Dublin taskforce rejects suggestions city is unsafe but says it 'could be better'

THE HEAD OF the Government’s newly established Dublin city taskforce has rejected suggestions that the city is unsafe.

However, An Post chief executive and the CEO of the new taskforce, David McRedmond, noted that Dublin city “could be better”.

McRedmond said it is clear the city has not fully recovered since the pandemic, and is “not where we want it to be”.

He added that the group will create better public spaces for the city centre.

The group will make recommendations on improving the city centre’s public realm, safety and experience within 12 weeks.

It will include 12 members, including gardaí, trade union representatives as well as community and cultural representatives.

McRedmond said the taskforce will look at areas running from Parnell Square in north Dublin to Stephen’s Green in the south of the city.

“It’s about putting together all the great work that is being done at the moment, and putting together all those initiatives,” McRedmond said.

“There’s a lot of pieces that are happening around the city but what we actually need to do is develop this cohesive, design-led plan that will come up with a set of really remarkably, short number of initiatives that are big enough to have a real impact.”

Asked if he thought the city was unsafe, McRedmond replied that he “wouldn’t say that”.

He added: “I think we all know how the city has been and certainly since Covid, the city hasn’t fully recovered. I think that’s clear to everybody.

“There’s no great surprise that the city needs a taskforce and to make sure that we can actually accelerate to a position whereby we restore what was there and then hopefully plan better for the future and for all different citizens in the city and indeed visitors that we’ve got public space.

“But it’s very clear to everybody that the city is not as we would want it to be at the moment otherwise yes, this wouldn’t be set up.

“I think the city could be better and have a much better public space.”

Launching the taskforce plan, Taoiseach Simon Harris said it was time to start “restoring pride in our capital city”.

Taoiseach Simon Harris second left with Minister Darragh O Brien left Minister Eamon Ryan right and Chair of the Dublin City Taskforce David McRedmond

“We need to look at what action needs to be taken across a whole variety of different areas to restore that sense of pride and that sense of hope in Dublin City Centre,” Harris said.

“A new taskforce will look at ways to make Dublin City Centre a more thriving, attractive and safe cityscape and a desirable location in which to live, to work, to do business and to visit.

“Dublin City Centre has always been a very popular destination for locals, for visitors, for tourists to come here and enjoy all of the wonderful amenities that the city has to offer.

“However, recently, and Dublin isn’t alone in this post-Covid, the social and cultural character of the city centre has changed.

“We have seen increased concerns for public safety, and we’ve seen a diminished overall experience on our streets.

Harris added: “We’ve asked this taskforce to work for the next three months and we’ve asked it to interrogate and harness the existing efforts and initiatives that are already under way to inform their work.

“They’re not necessarily starting with a blank sheet of paper.

“There’s lots of examples of good initiatives, good practice, good ideas, but they need to all be pulled together into what can effectively be an action plan for Dublin.”