Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I propose to share time with Deputy McManus.

Many aspects of the Government's housing policy could be criticised, and these are facets on which the Government has failed the people. The problem of housing supply, by no means the least of these dilemmas, has a profound impact on people's lives in such matters as family formation, quality of life and commuting times. I will refer specifically to three aspects of policy which are emerging problems that should receive urgent attention.

The first issue is the management of local authority housing estates. In these areas, as well as in many others, there is a growing problem of anti-social activity. People who do not understand the problem or have no experience of it may believe it is a fairly minor matter. It may begin as a minor issue but it develops into more serious activity. This may not technically be a criminal offence but can cause much grief and concern to residents, particularly elderly residents. It may quickly reach a point where it constitutes bullying and intimidation. Unfortunately it is a feature of modern life in many housing estates, particularly local authority housing estates. These places may have an atmosphere of intimidation and threat.

It is a common feature and the issue arises on a regular basis at public meetings in constituencies in urban areas. In recent years, local authorities have been more successful than the Garda in tackling the problem. Local authorities have used legislation to good effect, especially in the Dublin City Council area. The legislation in question is the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 and the Housing Act 1966. Both of the instruments have been used extensively to tackle anti-social activity. This type of activity has recently become so intense and serious that local authorities are relying more on the 1966 legislation, as this allows the authorities to send a senior official into a court to state that it is the view of the housing authority that a certain person is engaged in serious anti-social activity and should be evicted. The word of the senior housing official is accepted in this way.

The process must operate in this way because anti-social activity is at a level where it is not possible to get a witness to give evidence in court. I understand this and I do not encourage neighbours to provide evidence on anti-social activity in court. There is no doubt that there would be serious repercussions if they did. This is the manner in which the legal and judicial system works. The State authorities and gardaí are not in a position to provide the protection that residents require if they provided evidence in court against their neighbours. This is a reality of modern Irish life.

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