Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of my frustrations is the reluctance of gardaí to do anything. Over the past almost four years I have had perhaps half a dozen complaints specific to my constituency - I have had others over the operation of what are commonly known as "chuggers". The aggressive element I came across on Mountjoy Square in August 2011 was a particularly difficult set of circumstances, involving a young woman with a child and an individual - I referred to him as a spotter - who was organising and harassing people, including me, walking down the street. It was after rush hour but before nightfall. That experience left its mark on me. I can imagine how upsetting and off-putting that would be for a tourist. That is why it is necessary to have the data that have been mentioned.

My last question is on the lack of enforcement of legislation. I thank Mr. Guiney for bringing to my attention section 5, which I will certainly look at. My major issue is with the number of gardaí available. Clearly when there is an increased presence the problem tends to go elsewhere. Even if they are not aggressively begging, if gardaí are going to question them, they may not show up in the same location, which may undo the sort of area Mr. Cummins mentioned.

If the opportunity was presented to the various organisations represented here to weigh in on a discussion on the 2011 Act, I presume they would participate in that-----