Dublin South East Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Doolan-Skateboard Park not a political football

Published: 7 November, 2005

Sinn Féin's Dublin South East Representative, Councillor Daithí Doolan, tonight slammed, "political parties for turning the proposed construction of a skateboard park into a political football."

Speaking during the debate at tonight's City Council meeting, Cllr. Doolan said:

"I welcome wholeheartedly the proposal to build a skateboard park in Bushy Park in Terenure. Other Councilors have turned their back on young people's needs and have instead turned this issue into a political football. Many have used age old argument of not in my back yard but have failed to win the argument here tonight. We have a unique opportunity to offer the young people of Dublin a real alternative to anti social behavior, alcohol and drug abuse. Yet in opposing this facility Labour & Fine Gael Councilors would rather chose to condemn young people to a future without amenities rather have this project go ahead.

Rejection here tonight would have sent out the wrong message to people across Dublin, I am delighted we won the argument and that this skateboard will now go ahead."

In conclusion Cllr. Doolan, demanded, "the City Council now moves ahead with speed in the construction of the City's first skateboard park."