Dublin traders say next Government must fix ‘spiral of decline’

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A continued “spiral of decline” in Dublin city centre must be immediately reversed by the next government if the area is to have a meaningful future, the area’s leading business group has insisted.

Dublin Town, which speaks for 2,500 members in the city centre, said governments must take action to benefit the day-to-day life for traders, commuters and visitors.

Launching the collective’s 2024 General Election Manifesto, Dublin Town CEO Richard Guiney said the organisation is calling for the full and immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Taoiseach’s taskforce report on the future of the city centre.

These include 1,000 more gardaí for the area and the revitalisation of O’Connell Street.

Mr Guiney said: “If the current reality of Dublin city centre is hidden from, and the necessary interventions not made, it will continue on a spiral of decline.

“That would have massive implications for the Irish economy and Ireland’s position on the international stage.”

Mr Guiney said the public experience of Dublin City centre had deteriorated to the point where people did not feel safe.

“Dublin City centre is at a pivotal moment. Footfall is trending downwards, the public believes the city experience is deteriorating, they do not feel safe, and they want that to change.

“Dublin Town believes these negative trends can be systematically reversed, strengthening business and visitor confidence in the city centre, and increasing engagement.

“But this can only be done if all key stakeholders work together to implement change and address underlying concerns.

“The report of the Taoiseach’s taskforce is a blueprint to achieve this. We have asked all political parties that its roll-out be included as a non-negotiable in talks on the next programme for government.”

He said an independently chaired implementation body would be the correct delivery mechanism for the taskforce recommendations.

“If the correct decisions are made now, Dublin’s momentum can be regained,” he said.