Mr. Paul Perth:

I will offer a real-life example in response to what Mr. Sharpe said. I was at a meeting in Leinster House two weeks ago with some politicians. I was grateful to be able to speak on behalf of the young people with whom I work. I am sure everyone here has heard a story about young people, male or female, between the ages of 14 and 16, who are allowed to smoke weed because mum and dad have noticed it calms them down and they are okay. When we were growing up, we were told parents do not mind their children drinking in their presence because they know what they are drinking and where they are. The same thing is now happening with weed. I am sure everyone has experience of such a situation. When I brought that point up in a conversation with politicians in Leinster House, I was stopped. That is the disconnect. One of the Deputies told me it was some statement I was making. I was shocked that he was shocked. I and everyone else in this room know that young people are self-medicating. Families, mothers and fathers, are saying it is okay because when their child is stoned and calm, the dynamic of the house works better. The child sleeps, as do his or her siblings. The child might or might not go to school but things are better.

The media create fear in communities. As a sector, we have a responsibility in that regard. I know there are people here from Ballyfermot and they will know that not every group is a gang. It seems to me, as a street worker, that when I approach a group of young people, they ought to be planning the next robbery of a Brink's Ireland van. The case is, in fact, that some of them are talking about Senator Ruane, Deputy Ward and politics. They are having critical conversations. We do not only need to work to change and empower young people. We need to work with the communities. Community groups and youth workers need to come together and try to work on the fear in communities. A lot of things that hit the news on television and radio are untrue. A lot of it is not real. It is manufactured for headlines. There is not as much intimidation where I work as people are led to believe. That is important to note.