Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In the past 15 months, I have attended 70 public meetings in various places around the country. I am appalled, which is not too strong a word, at the complete inability of the Government to deal with the issue of crime on our streets and the fear that is present in so many areas. People cannot walk the streets of many towns and cities in safety.

Criminals in this country are now importing the most sophisticated weaponry one could imagine by the tonne. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, with his hysterical rantings on an occasional basis, waves another sheet of paper containing another plan. His last plan was produced in November 2005 and consisted of three pages of detailed measures to be implemented to deal with criminals. Every time there is a serious issue, another plan is produced. Every time an innocent person is gunned down, it is a watershed or the sting of a dying wasp and another plan is produced.

Violent crime has surged over the past three years and the response from Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats in Government has been simply pathetic. There is no war on crime but there should be a war on crime. If the Taoiseach will not do it, I will. We need action now. In the past 12 months in economically strong Ireland, murder has increased by 43%, gun crime has increased by 39% and rape has increased by25%. Unfortunately, there has never been a better time to be a violent criminal in this country. The Taoiseach and the absent Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform have done nothing but talk about plans, plans and more plans. What is the Taoiseach's response today in view of the fact that last year, there were 66 homicides, 26 of which were gun-related? Gun culture in Ireland in 2007 is simply out of hand. I assume we will get another litany of expenditure in this area when what is needed is action. Over the past 15 months, we have pointed out serious issues to the Taoiseach which he could have addressed but did not.

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