Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I heard some reports that the Taoiseach referred to a utopian Ireland at the weekend. Olivia Crawford did not realise that her son had been shot until he collapsed in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor. Jordan Crawford was a lucky child. Gardaí stated that he could have received multiple injuries if the machine gun had not jammed. Jordan Crawford's family was already on a warning because its home was riddled with bullets on Thursday night.

The drive-by shooting in Limerick at the weekend was different because unlike others that were gunned down in a war that has exploded on the Taoiseach's watch, Jordan Crawford was not known to the Garda and is not associated with the underworld. He is only five years of age. Instead of joining in providing class news at his school, Jordan is the news and is lucky to be recovering in the sunshine ward of Limerick Regional Hospital. This is all apparently because he took a bullet that was intended for his uncle but it is all actually because the Government has failed spectacularly to deal with serious crime, particularly that which is gang-related. The new recruits or gunmen who carry out such crime are not men at all, they are children. Psychopathic gangs are recruiting children who have no fear, respect, personal boundaries or moral code. It is no wonder that events of this nature are occurring.

How many major crime bosses were imprisoned in the past five years? The answer is "None". The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who has left the Chamber, had the gall to come before the House and dismiss such individuals as the last sting of a dying wasp. Some sting, some wasp. On the Tánaiste's watch and during the Government's time in office, Ireland has, in the context of violence, gone to the dogs.

It is not just organised crime. Rapes, murders, stabbings and beatings are an everyday part of life in urban and rural areas. In the year to September, there were 64 violent deaths. This is the position on the watch of the most vain Minister for Justice ever. In the year to September, there were 304 discharges of firearms, an increase of 40%, and 362 reported rapes. These are not my figures, nor are they the Taoiseach's; they were provided by the CSO. The National Museum might be glad to obtain for exhibition some of the weapons received under the arms amnesty.

The Taoiseach should go again to Moyross and tell Olivia Crawford and her people what this Government is doing to deal with the issue on the streets there every night. The heroin that has decimated parts of this and other cities has had the same effect there. What does the Taoiseach intend to do — let loose the Minister for Defence? I would like to hear the Taoiseach's response.

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