In Dublin, the Taoiseach has launched the Report of the Dublin City Taskforce at the GPO on O’Connell Street.

The Taskforce, of which our CEO, Stephen O’Malley is a member, 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 all with the goal of making Dublin City Centre a more thriving, attractive, and safe cityscape; and a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit.

To deliver on these missions, the Taskforce identified ten ‘Big Moves’ that they recommend should be addressed.

The Department of the Taoiseach will now convene an Interdepartmental Group to examine the Taskforce’s recommendations and prepare a Report by mid-December for consideration by Government.

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.”

Speaking about being part of the Taskforce, Stephen O’Malley commented, “As a Dubliner and an engineering-led Urban Designer, I was honoured to contribute to the work of the Taskforce and in particular focus on the built environment topics around reinforcing the character, functionality and lived experience of the city. The suite of environment, social and governance recommendations we have made have been captured in an accessible 10-point plan and it is fantastic to see this launched. It is an ambitious, pragmatic and deliverable strategy that can make a meaningful positive difference to Dubliners’ everyday experience of this fantastic city.”

You can access the Dublin City Taskforce Report here. Find out more about Civic in Ireland here.