Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for my earlier absence. I had to go to the Dáil Chamber. I was here during the CityWide presentation. I know Ms Hill and Mr. Hamilton from an earlier debate.

The piece of work that the Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force has done is very good. Its findings are shocking, let us be honest. Ms Hill earlier mentioned a tsunami of issues relating to crack cocaine. This goes to the heart of the matter we discussed earlier with Ms Quigley. The task forces providing services on the ground see these issues at first hand. They collate the data, which is vital. I am also a member of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. When we try to tackle homelessness, the first thing the experts say is that correct data is needed so we can tackle the issues. The same applies when we are dealing with drugs, alcohol and crime.

I apologise if I am being repetitive because I know Mr. Hamilton touched on these issues earlier but I have a couple of questions. When I am in Dublin, I see gangs and people hanging around outside shops, post offices and facilities. I have spoken to Sinn Féin Deputies Paul Donnelly, Ward, Ellis and the Chairman of the committee about the issue of intimidation. I know the Garda has given a commitment, but have we seen a reduction in the numbers of these types of gangs involved in intimidation around shops, etc.? Sinn Féin Deputies have raised the matter directly. I spoke to our justice spokesperson, Deputy Martin Kenny, about the issue. I see similar things in Cork, as does Deputy Quinlivan in Limerick, but the issue is particularly bad in Dublin. The Garda has given a commitment. Have our guests seen evidence of that working on the ground?