Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Yesterday, we witnessed the extraordinary scenes of a Minister making disgraceful political and personal remarks against a Member of the House. That the allegations were made against one of the most committed, honest and diligent parliamentarians made the offence all the worse. I heard the apology of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform this morning. Deputy Bruton has, as one would expect from him, accepted that apology with great dignity. It might be of interest to the Taoiseach that one of the books which Joseph Goebbels attempted to have published was called Michael. I hope this experience will be a watershed for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and that, in the future, instead of responding to serious matters of crime and growing crime with bluff and bluster, he will deal with the facts and recognise the serious problems which the Garda Síochána face in keeping our streets safe.

Will the Taoiseach confirm that the figures used by Deputy Bruton on Garda numbers in the Dublin metropolitan area being at 3,740 on 31 December 2004 as against 3,742 on 31 December 2005 were correct and based on replies given to him by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform? It is a "yes" or "no" answer.

The Taoiseach's Government stated it will be judged on whether people feel safer in their homes and on the streets at night. I will examine some of the key performance indicators in that area. Every year since 1998, detection rates have fallen. Serious crime has increased by almost 20% since 1998. Last year, 54 murders occurred, 16 more than in 1997, a 42% increase. Rape increased by 61% and firearm offences by a whopping 440% in the same period. These crimes terrorise families, communities and individuals. There is a sad story behind every statistic.

Last night the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform had a restless night. If so, he was still protected by two armed gardaí, unlike the woman who keeps €200 under her pillow, in fear that she will be broken into for the third time, as something to offer to keep herself safe. Perhaps the Minister does not have two armed gardaí at his house.

The following are critical questions for the Taoiseach and his Government in respect of being able to keep our policing methods up with 21st century criminal activity. Why, after nine years, are gardaí reduced to making telephone calls on their own mobile telephones for communication purposes? Why, after nine years, have we not had a serious review of rostering to let gardaí on the streets at night and weekends to be seen by the people who want to see this happen? Why is it that after nine years there are still 200 gardaí doing work that civilians could do?

I hope today might be a watershed for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and for the Government. Serious crimes are running at more than 100,000 a year. If this Minister survives for another 12 months, he will have presided over 500,000 serious crimes which is truly a horrific legacy. Yesterday's events showed us that the Minister is hurting badly because his policies are not working. It is time for action in dealing with the serious facts exposed by Deputy Bruton yesterday.

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