Important North Inner City task force delivers for community

I welcome the establishment by the Taoiseach today of the North Inner City Task Force. The Task Force will be charged with supporting the regeneration of the North Inner City area of Dublin.

Along with my Labour Party colleague Joe Costello I called on the Taoiseach to establish this Task Force as far back as May 25th.

It is essential the Task Force has a broad-based approach to tackling gang-land crime in the North Inner City. A long-term regeneration strategy for the area needs to be developed with buy in from the community and local authorities. Particular emphasis must be placed on addressing the root-causes of crime by tackling intergenerational deprivation by tackling joblessness, investing in vital support services and promoting educational opportunity.

The North Inner City community have recently witnessed an appalling spate of gang-land shootings. They deserve better. I hope the Task Force is not just a talking shop and is effective and does deliver real long-lasting positive change for the community.

I wish Kieran Mulvey the very best in chairing the Task Force. He is an experienced public servant who is well placed to make sure the Task Force is effective.

I would appeal to all parties to put aside political differences and to support this Task Force to help maximise its effectiveness for the North Inner City community.