Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has said that groups who are targeted by hate crime are wondering why they are not included in a taskforce which has been established to make Dublin a more attractive and safe city.
The taskforce, which was launched yesterday, will work over the next three months to develop recommendations to improve all areas in Dublin where the public has access and ensure safety.
It will include representatives from gardaí, Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority among others.
The taskforce is being chaired by An Post CEO David McRedmond.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Gannon said that he struggled to understand why the HSE was not a primary part of the taskforce.
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The Dublin Central TD said that groups targeted by hate crime, like members of the LGBTQI community, are also wondering why they have not been included.
Mr Gannon added that Dublin city had been a "victim of much innovation overload" across the years, adding that people are asking for the basics.
"If open drug dealing is happening outside your door, will we see a guard?" he asked.
Mr Gannon said that all of the innovation had not gotten to the crux of the issue.
"Open drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, people who are in chronic states of addiction and trauma who themselves are vulnerable. Nobody wants to be down a lane injecting themselves with any poison - will there be a level of support there that can address those issues?
"That would not be accepted anywhere else," he said.
The stated aim of the taskforce is to make the capital's city centre a more thriving, attractive and safe cityscape; a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit; and a destination for retail, hospitality and cultural experiences.
It will examine the use of cultural spaces, the public transport network and issues around anti-social behaviour and litter.
The taskforce will present its recommendations to the Government at the end of July.
