Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

Does the Minister of State accept there is a major crisis with regard to gangland murders, particularly in Dublin? Nine people have been killed this year so far in gangland murders. Does the Minister of State agree that this figure is too high and unacceptable? Does he accept that life is cheap for some of the people involved in gangland murders? Many people thought things would change after the tragic murder of Veronica Guerin, but the same types of crime are still taking place.

Does the Minister of State accept that we need more young active gardaí involved, particularly in the drugs squad, and that we need a more focused response to drug dealers and gangland leaders? I welcome the Minister of State's comment that these operations should be intelligence-driven as this is the key to any strategy. Is the Minister of State amazed that many of our constituents can tell us the known locations of drug dealers operating in our constituencies and selling drugs openly and that our local communities are being intimated? What strategies are in place to deal with this kind of situation?

Does the Minister of State accept that our citizens demand action on these gangland murders, particularly the vicious, cold and horrific murders on our streets? It is all very well to respond rapidly to a particular crime but residents and constituents are asking Deputies whether the Government has any serious crime prevention strategies to deal with killers and murderers in a focussed manner. We need such strategies if we are to prevent murders rather than being obliged to preserve crime scenes after they have occurred. Many innocent people have been traumatised and intimidated by the criminal gangs that control estates and blocks of flats. It is horrific to have to live in such complexes after 9 p.m. I ask the Minister of State to make this matter an urgent priority in the coming weeks.

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