Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I agree with the sentiments expressed by previous speakers. There have been instances of appalling intimidation of ordinary, law-abiding citizens. They mind their houses and comply with every rule and regulation but are intimidated at every turn and have their houses stoned and egged and their windows broken. Crowds of gougers sit on walls throughout the night and intimidate people, including small children, womenfolk and the elderly. Many people who have lived in those estates all of their lives have left because they could not stick the situation any longer.

It is a sad reflection on society that we seem incapable of doing anything about this. I wish to put on record the types of action available for use. For example, a local authority can take action through a tenant liaison officer, but nothing ever occurs. Some estates in my constituency are virtually derelict. Like a virus, anti-social behaviour spreads from one end of an estate to the other. When the gougers realise that they can get away with it, they continue.

Deputy McCormack raised a question on private rented houses. The law exists in that respect and action can be taken through the Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB. For example, rent support can and has been withdrawn. The HSE has always been reluctant to withdraw rent support, but I assure the House that it has done so more than once in the face of stiff resistance. However, there is the rule of law and no one should need to put up with the antics of lunatic neighbours simply because a State institution pays the neighbours' rent. That would be crazy.

We must recognise the fact that anti-social behaviour is no longer restricted to local authority areas. It just so happens that those areas are the ones over which the Department and local authorities have most control. There is an emerging absolute disregard for the property of others, any kind of authority and anyone who is weaker, smaller, younger or older than the perpetrators. I do not know what can be done. Unless it is done soon, however, a serious issue will arise and evoke a serious reaction from ordinary, law-abiding citizens. Anti-social behaviour is appalling. Incidentally, the Department is paying for major refurbishment programmes to repair the wanton damage done by people who could not care less.

I support these well-placed amendments. However, discussing the issue is of no benefit unless we do something about it. The PRTB can take action in respect of private rented property and the HSE is bound to withdraw rent support if a complaint is valid. The Minister of State must respond in some fashion to the antics of those who want to take over local authority housing estates to pursue their own lawlessness.

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