Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will follow up on what Mr. O'Driscoll stated. We all accept that poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage are major factors in the drugs problem, but our focus is on how we can assist communities that are being intimidated. In my previous day job I worked in the north inner city and knew about the activities of the Mockies - the nickname of the undercover drugs squad. Mr. O'Driscoll was its leader. Gardaí on the ground earned the respect of the community by being with them. In the past ten or 15 years has a gap developed between the community and the Garda? Has it widened in recent years or has the position improved? In some of the communities that I visit there is a wide gap between families and the Garda. Is there a way to bridge it? Ms Metcalfe is working on the issue in her area, but the gap is very wide in others. Either Mr. O'Driscoll or Mr. Twomey can respond.