CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

 Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

 I am delighted to be here with you today to launch the Community CCTV Scheme and the Safer Ballymun website as a way to mark this week's events.

This is an important element in the regeneration of Ballymun which is a huge undertaking. When the overall project is complete it will result in a new town for the 30,000 residents of this area. It will also bring new homes, new parks and new facilities. These developments will provide a platform for a new and revitalised community for many years to come.

Step by step, a new Ballymun is emerging from the old. The building of a new physical infrastructure is an essential part of that process and I am particularly pleased that my Department has been in a position to make a contribution.

Under my Department's Community CCTV Scheme, grants totalling almost €4 million have been awarded to 45 Community Schemes throughout Ireland. I am delighted to say that the system being launched here in Ballymun today is one such scheme which has secured a total of €1 million from my Department and the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs towards the costs of installation.

At the same time I would like to acknowledge the substantial financial contribution that has been provided by Ballymun Regeneration Limited. This applies not just to the development of the scheme but also to its operation.

I have also recently had the honour of officiating at the opening of the new Garda station here in Ballymun. It is a modern facility, representing an investment of €14 million in this area. In addition it provides a focal point for the delivery of a modern professional Garda service to the local community.

Both of these developments complement each other and they represent strong commitments to the enhancement of community safety.

The ongoing transformation of Ballymun is the culmination of many years of work by many people and organisations. It is a testament to the sense of neighbourhood that has sustained this area through difficult years, a sense of neighbourhood which is essential to any community.

That sense of neighbourhood is exemplified by the ongoing progress being led out by the Safer Ballymun initiative.

The work of this highly regarded forum is evidence of how real and effective partnerships can be forged between State Agencies and local communities in tackling and addressing issues of common concern.

I commend the efforts of all involved in its programme of work and I wish it continued success and I am very happy to launch the project's website here today.

I am confident that this sense of community demonstrated by Safer Ballymun will prosper in the years ahead and will continue to be supported by a network of residents and community organisations such as Ballymun Regeneration Ltd., Dublin City Council and, of course, by An Garda Síochána.

The installation of this CCTV scheme will, in particular, further enhance the great work being done in the Ballymun community. The operation of the scheme will be an important support for both the Gardaí and communities here in Ballymun in preventing, detecting and deterring criminal and anti-social behaviour. In addition, it will assist the Gardaí in their work and afford greater peace of mind to local people.

In concluding, I would like to express my thanks to the Ballymun Regeneration Project, Dublin City Council and Safer Ballymun for affording me the honour of launching this Community CCTV System and the website today.