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SENATOR IVANA BACIK has called for the introduction of a scheme to improve safety in town and city centres in Ireland.
Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, she said her proposals would mirror the purple flag initiative across the UK, which recognises areas that manage their night time experience.
“Across Britain and Northern Ireland, town centres and city districts may apply for purple flag status where they reach certain indicators to ensure that the area is safe for people to walk at night and constitutes a pleasant place to be, with good levels of cleanliness and security generally,” she explained.
The purple flag system could eventually become as recognised as the Blue Flag scheme for beaches, added Bacik.
Areas in Derry, Enniskillen and Belfast have all obtained purple flags, as has Leicester Square in London, after extensive efforts were made to reduced crime and increase cleanliness. The flag also indicates a “very clear but unobtrusive police presence”.
“This is an initiative that could work very well in our own urban centres,” continued the Labour senator. “In the week when businesses in Dublin city centre were being asked to provide the public with access to their toilets, we can see there is a lack of public facilities and amenities for visitors and residents of this city who are out at night.
“That is true across other urban centres in Ireland. An initiative like the purple flag gives an incentive to businesses, working with local councils and public services, to ensure greatly improved communities for tourists and residents alike.”
Bacik told TheJournal.ie that Dublin could benefit from a move like this, particularly after the recent spate of “nasty incidents”.
“There are ways of doing this,” she said. “Compare the atmosphere on Culture night – it was communal, there was no drunkenness – to that of Arthur’s Day which left behind a mess.”
The idea was well-received in the Seanad yesterday with support coming from a number of other senators. In the UK, the Purple Flag Advisory Committee believes the benefits for an area include a raised profile, improved public image, more visitors and thus more expenditure, lower crime rates and anti-social behaviour.
What do you think? Would you like to see a similar initiative implemented in Ireland?
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Any initiative that promotes cleanliness,decent facilities and general well being in our town and city centres should be welcomed while also tackling warzones in these areas at night, Irelands urban areas are becoming increasingly grubby and unkempt looking which is a real shame.
It’s a great idea, but I’m kinda thinking that our Garda resources won’t stretch to this. It would be about the limit to just put a purple flag on the top of a squad car.
Indeed Red4Fred, good point. Although if these areas ever came into being, businesses and residents could also do their bit in keeping these areas and possibly receive incentives from the local council/corporation for doing so. It’s in the communities interest as cleaner/well managed areas will attract visitors and money.
By default this may creat red flag areas. It’s no harm if we reach the point where people who behave badly are accused to their face of turning their own areas into self deprived areas
it only takes a few thugs to wreck an area. and it takes a brave person to stand up to yobs on their own. You also need to be able to follow through with the penalties for continued yob antics. Typically Gardai find this difficult and paramilitary thugs in balaclavas are not the answer either
What about the areas without a flag ? are thet to be left to their own devices.
Politicians should think twice before adopting measures, just because they have been introduced in England
There are far better solutions beyond the English Channel . British society is not enviable and should be a roll model for Ireland. Ireland can do better
Should NOT be a roll model for Ireland
Nearly there……role model
Whats a roll model? The good lookin wan behind the deli counter in spar?!
@ Michael Fagan,
Have to agree with you, seems very unfair and a kick in the mouth to the families and businesses trying their best to keep their area safe and also looking nice. A kick in the mouth to those trying to rear their children with love and respect for others in their community and then to see that on a flag pole outside their door has a red flag! “Do not enter this area”!
I believe in CCTV cameras on every corner of every street in every town in this country. Have employees watching these sites/areas 24/7. That should give a fair amount of employment, ‘special’ gardai, made up of unemployed on shifts 24/7. Yes, this all needs money to fund it. That’s what a Government in situ is for, sort it! I am sure a lot of the allowances TDs and Ministers receive could be given up. Everybody needs to step forward if we are to improve life in Ireland, if we are to hold on to our youth. This country will end up full of middle aged and very aged citizens in the next 10/20 years if we don’t start caring about the future of our children and our country.
Good idea..just as initiatives such as the Tidy Towns get local towns and areas to raise their game, this would be an idea for the cites. Prehaps each suburb of the cities be responsible for their own patch. Would need government support and of course, that’s where it’ll fall down.
God forbid we follow the British model – who knows what might happen? Politicians might even resign when they are caught stealing, lying, cheating on their expenses, taking cash for favours(Labour/FF/FG – planning issues with developers).
We don’t want that in our little cabbage patch – sure we are better with the Bertie’s and Charlie’s of our country and now we have another gang of corrupt politicians leading us into decades of poverty for the majority.
Will we follow the British model – never. The German model is much better.
and so now I am faced with a dilemma!
I know you are being sarcastic Frank2521, and I agree with your sentiments.
If I give a green thumb, it may be interpreted as not agreeing with you.
If I give a red thumb, it may be interpreted as thinking like Michael Fagan
I propose a purple thumb scheme, to convey my support for the purple flag scheme, and my disdain for the Brit bashing.
Sigh !
Another initiative to separate and hide reality from the upper classes when they got out for an evening.
Where does Ivana propose to put/hide the homeless people in this clean up?
This obviously wouldn’t apply to Cavan as we’ve lost barracks and squad cars with recent cutbacks, turning the county into a gangster’s paradise, perhaps a black flag with skull and crossbones would be more appropriate!
Yep. Lord Henry Mount-Charles will be quite chuffed. But no other relevant members of the “Upper Class” spring to mind. Or did you mean “rich people”?
The Irish electorate said no to this woman. The fact she still gets taxpayer money to spout this sh1t while carers are been cut left right and centre makes me sick.
I think she might actually be elected Chris. see http://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2011S&cons=225
They only place in this country that would qualify is D4, you know the only part of the country that still has money and therefore the only part this Government gives a toss about.
D4 is one of the poorest parts of Dublin – They’re just too up their own @r$es to show it! Uachtair Reoite and Savannah simply wont believe that Daddy’s investments have collapsed!
Will be helpful for tourists and certain citizens although most of us know to avoid places like Ballymun & Darndale.
More British copycat stuff. Some town centres already
behave, sound and look like they are provincial English
football hooligan zones!
Ivana see Bacik safety in towns too.
Is that Bob Geldof?
Jayyysus tha face on her….
Check out the news for the party month. Dublin’s ceeative quarter and Ennis town have just received purple flag status. There was a conference held in the powerscourt townhouse centre theatre yesterday.
This is another good reason to abolish the Senate – another waste of time and money
have your say