Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

I thank Deputy Deenihan for allowing me one minute of his time.

I substantiate all that Deputy Deenihan has said on this issue. At the coalface of this enormous problem are the taxi drivers who provide a service late on a Friday and Saturday night, bringing young people back to their homes. They put up with terrible abuse, as well as violence. When we met the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, we were informed of the crime levels reported in Tralee. However, we did not hear of the crimes that go unreported, which is a substantial number, because I deal with it on a daily basis in my constituency clinic.

Behind this is the factor of fear. Victims fear that if they report crimes, they will be further victimised. I want the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to give this problem his immediate attention. I cannot stress strongly enough the fear and abuse taxi drivers in Tralee endure on a nightly basis. Residents in housing estates also have to endure a minority of young people behaving like thugs and gangsters, terrorising communities.

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