Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the children (amendment) Bill, I note that there is mention of restorative justice. That is a really important thing. I am thinking of a particular ongoing problem in an area in my constituency where youths - children - are plaguing residents in a particular apartment block. They are selling drugs, intimidating people, charging up their e-bikes and e-scooters, urinating and defecating in the common areas and generally making an absolute nuisance of themselves. They are smashing the windows and doors and creating absolute havoc for the residents in the block. These youths do not live there. They do not have anything to do with it, but they create this difficulty all the time. There are not currently sufficient resources for An Garda Síochána. I would love to see a day come when those offenders are made to face up to the people and what they have put those people through. It is absolutely scandalous that they know they are under 18 years of age and that the system does not allow them to be effectively prosecuted. I disagree with Senator Ruane in respect of expunging criminal records. There has to be consequences for behaviour that really badly affects people's lives. I could tell people stories here and give details, but I do not want to disclose any confidences. However, people's lives have been made an utter misery. Sometimes, we go too far with our generosity. These youths are behaving like adults. They are mimicking the behaviour they see of more senior drug dealers and so on, and it is absolutely reprehensible what they do. Restorative justice has to be a really important element of this where they see first hand or hear first hand the effects of what they are doing in the daily lives of people they are affecting. It is really important. I hope that would be reflected very strongly in the legislation.