INDEPENDENT SENATOR DAVID Norris had a few pointed criticisms of Dublin’s north inner city today, calling it “an area of dereliction and waste.”

Norris, who is a longstanding resident of the area and champion of Georgian Dublin, told the Seanad he had witnessed “degradation and blight” during recent strolls in the neighbourhood.

In the past week or two during a convalescence I have taken to walking around my area, which is the Georgian core of Dublin.

What I have seen has absolutely horrified me. I have seen an area of dereliction and waste.

Norris pointed to “burnt out” residences and multiple-occupation houses, and condemned “rack-renting” landlords who “do not put one damn penny back into the refurbishment of these areas.”

The 70-year-old Senator, who underwent a liver transplant in June, saved particular ire for O’Connell Street, “the principal street in our capital city.”

I looked at the building Dublin County Council put up. It is an ignorant appalling building of mass concrete.

…We have knickers shops and an amusement arcade. What kind of a street is this for a capital city of a European country in the 21st century?

Norris suggested the government establish an authority to “put manners on” those responsible for the dereliction.

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These historic photos of Dublin are great>