Ms Anna Quigley:

On the local authorities, obviously they do have a role in this area. In many areas, in particular the north inner city, the council and Garda work closely on issues relating to persons living in local authority accommodation who are causing difficulties, including intimidation of neighbours and so on. This is a difficult issue. As stated by Deputy McGrath, the council will proceed if it has evidence but the difficulty that arises is how that evidence is gathered in the context of peoples' fear around providing it. The legislation is very complicated in that at the end of the day people have the right to a home and, if evicted, they will need to be housed somewhere else.

The fundamental issue underlying all of this is that there are legal systems and structures to enable address of the issue but people are too afraid to come forward and give evidence. There is a process by which people can be evicted from council housing, which is a difficult and long process and, rightly so, because nobody should be easily evicted from their home. However, the council can only act on evidence given to it by other residents. The difficulty is around peoples' fear of giving that evidence. In regard to Deputy McGrath's question as to what is the answer to this, the reality is there is no instant answer. Nobody, including a garda, can advise a person to ignore another person who is intimidating him or her. The reality is that often people are advised to pay up if they can come up with the money to do so. None of us can give a commitment that we can protect one person from intimidation by another person. In that immediate case, it is difficult for people. If we are to bring about change in this regard, everyone needs to work together. If a Deputy comes to us seeking help we would like to be able to offer it but we cannot do that. We cannot say to anybody that if they come forward and identify and name in court those who are intimidating them they will be protected. For this reason, all of the solutions offered, taken together, is the only way forward. We have to start with supports for those people. We cannot and do not just tell them we cannot do anything for them and to go away. We must at least provide them with support by way of a local service or structure to which they can go.

Policing, including community policing, is crucial. The issue that arises for people living in areas experiencing a lot of intimidation is the lack of visible policing on the streets. Where surveillance of a drugs issues is in place normal policing is withdrawn from the streets. While that is understandable it is not acceptable. Again, I know resources is an issue in this regard. I am aware, for example, that Garda numbers at Store Street Garda station have reduced by 65. That is bound to have an impact. I am sure that is replicated in other areas. There is need for a return to garda visibly patrolling areas, as they did in the past. Visibility in terms of policing provides reassurance for people. The previous Minister for Justice and Equality once stated we no longer need that type of policing because of the availability of technological equipment. However, visible policing is important.

I do not believe that what is needed at this stage is more processes, procedures or laws. The difficulty is around peoples' fear of giving evidence. I am not suggesting that evidence is not given in some cases because it is. However, giving evidence is very difficult.