Dublin's Night Mayor has said there isn't a 'silver bullet' to fix the capital's problems but things are moving.

Ray O'Donoghue was speaking after the launch of the Dublin City Night-time Economy Strategy, which outlines a vision to create a "dynamic, inclusive and vibrant nightlife that will attract both residents and visitors."

Mr O'Donoghue - whose official title is Night-Time Economy Advisor - took the role six months ago.

He told Lunchtime Live there is a lot of enthusiasm for change.

"I know the industry well and I know nightclubs, I know festivals, I know events," he said.

"It's a very different world obviously within the structure of Dublin City Council but there seems to be faith behind it.

"Everyone in there is enthusiastic, they want something to happen".

O'Connell Bridge over Dublin's River Liffey at night, 17-8-19. Image: Susanne Pommer / Alamy

The Night Mayor said issues will be fixed gradually.

"We've a great city, a city we should be proud of," he said.

"We've eight or nine million tourists a year coming in - there's a reason why they're coming to Dublin city.

"We know there's issues but we're trying to gradually fix those issues.

"I think it'll be a slow change, it's not going to happen overnight but there are seeds of hope there".

Mr O'Donoghue said the strategy has three core pillars: cultural activity, mobility and transport and safety.

"More cultural activity that can mean, right across the board, late night galleries opening, more stuff happening out on the streets," he said.

"More culture nights - maybe a month of [events] - so there is more of that.

"There's still a lot going on - there's [the] Bram Stoker Festival coming up at the end of the month, Winter in Dublin is happening, there's the Winter Lights Festival.

"So there isn't one silver bullet that's going to fix things.

"You can see there's progressive stuff happening with transport - security on late-night buses, which I think is a great move.

"We're working on other things, possibly late-night trains and stuff going on in the background there.

"Safety of course - we already put a welfare zone in on Culture Night [and] it is an initiative we're looking at bringing in.

"We'll let people know it's there if they need to use it late at night if they're vulnerable, if they've had too much to drink, if they've broken a finger - whatever it might be.

"Like at a festival, we're looking at bringing that into the city".

A view of Capel Street Bridge in Dublin city at night. Picture by: Wouter van Opijnen / Alamy Stock Photo

The Night Mayor said while extending opening hours are a matter for the Department of Justice, he wants to see them change.

"I think the choice should be there, we have staggered hours everywhere else in Europe," he said.

"It will be market-driven - people say they won't get the staff but that'll be up to each individual operator.

"If it came in on Monday I don't think 50 places are going to open late - there'd be a handful [of places] - but the choice should be there," Mr  O'Donoghue added.

A newly established night-time economy steering and advisory group will oversee the successful implementation of the initiatives.

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Main image: Dublin's Night Mayor Ray O'Donoghue speaking to Luncthtime Live, 10-10-24. Image: Newstalk