Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

They spoke about justice issues and crime issues. Perhaps those of us who attended Drimnagh Castle are different but I am telling the truth. The Minister will be glad to know that what he is trying to achieve is having an impact on people. It is important that young people have a positive view in terms of justice and crime issues and that we get across that message. I speak not only as a Dáil Deputy for a major population centre but as someone who has taken a good deal of time to work with the Minister and colleagues including my friend, Deputy Seán Ardagh, Deputy Finian McGrath and others on the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights. Whatever else one can say about the Minister, he has brought a lot of business before the House and raised many issues. Incidentally, I do not see any sign of an election. I am told there will not be an election until the summer and therefore I do not know if the previous speaker was right when she referred to our last few weeks here. Criminal justice issues will continue to be raised here and in Tallaght, Finglas, Ballymun, Marino, Cork, Ranelagh and throughout the country. That is only fair and it has never been any different.

I said in the earlier debate that I come from a different era in Dublin. As a small child living not far from here in the south inner city I remember being aware of justice issues. Dublin appeared to be a different place then and I remember my grandmother talking about what I now know to be anti-social behaviour and petty crime. There are challenges facing every generation regarding these issues and it is right that we take time to examine them.

We will always put pressure on the Minister of the day to ensure the Garda is given the proper resources and that proper Garda stations are built. I live in Tallaght, the third largest population centre in the country, with only one Garda station. Garda services are provided to that huge community from other Garda stations in Clondalkin, Crumlin, Terenure and Rathfarnham. In the geographical area covered by my constituency, Dublin South-West, there is only one physical Garda station. I will continue to put pressure on the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, because I am anxious to make progress on getting a new Garda station. I was glad to receive a reply to a parliamentary question recently in which the Tánaiste stated that provision is being made in those plans for a new courthouse. I discussed that matter at a social occasion in Jobstown yesterday with the local judge, Judge McDonnell, who while he seemed very happy, looks forward to the day when the positive announcement is made.

There are many aspects of crime that are of concern to the public. In any debate we will raise all sorts of pet points. The Tánaiste yesterday told us that the Bill amends the Garda Síochána Act 2005 by establishing a new executive management board. The board members will be the Garda Commissioner as chairperson, the Deputy Garda Commissioners and a member of the civilian staff of the Garda Síochána. The three non-executive members will be appointed by the Government on the nomination of the Minister. The board will keep under review the performance of the Garda Síochána in its functions, as well as the arrangements and strategies in place to support and enhance the performance of those functions. The board will provide six-monthly reports to the Minister and they will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. New and stronger provisions are introduced regarding special inquiry provisions.

It is important for the Garda always to have the confidence of the public and of the Oireachtas. Many issues have been raised in recent times and there is no point in my rehearsing them here. All gardaí I have ever come across do their jobs in a very effective way. As in every other walk in life, there may be difficulties in that regard. In fairness to the Tánaiste, he has always promoted the importance of the Garda retaining the confidence and support of the public. That should be the case in all the Garda's dealing with the public. Let it deal with crime and be forceful with criminals. Let it not be afraid to take on the hard issues. However, let us also understand the importance of the public believing they are getting good service. When a member of the public goes to a Garda station for an issue unrelated to him or her breaking the law, it should be a good experience. We will need to continue to work hard in that regard.

I speak as somebody who has gone through my entire community and political life without ever having had recourse to criticising the Garda. Many colleagues have different attitudes and some have made a career in doing that. It is not as if I am any different; I just take the view that is not the way I want to do it. I have good memories of my dealings with the Garda over a long period. When I was small and tempted to play football out on Derry Park and was persuaded by the local garda on his bicycle to go up to Pearse Park, I was happy to do so. I brought those experiences to my community, political and private life now based in Tallaght. It is important that the Garda be given the resources and opportunities to get out into our communities. It is good to see gardaí in the community. I am always happy as I drive around Tallaght to co-operate when stopped at a Garda checkpoint to verify road tax, etc.

It is important that the Garda be seen to be a friendly force, which when it needs to be tough and enforce the law can do so. At the same time it should continue to provide a good service. I often say to the staff in my office that when people contact us it is a bit like running a sweetshop; if we do not provide the service and do the job properly they will go elsewhere. While it might be somewhat unfair to make that comparison regarding the work of the Garda, the same logic applies. It is about public service and ensuring the public is safe and happy and that the service is provided.

I am pleased with a number of the efforts the Tánaiste has made in recent times to ensure that accountability is in place, the public can see what is happening and the public is happy with the support and services the Garda provides.

The Bill makes specific reference to drugs and the difficulties they have caused for communities. Deputy Shortall mentioned Finglas and I noticed the Acting Chairman nodded his approval. We all share urban constituencies. I am not afraid to say that I am a proud Dubliner. While it is not limited to this city, Dublin has had its problems not just with general crime as would be expected in the capital, but also with drug-related crime. Events such as the killings have upset the public hugely. While I did not know many of the people who have been killed, including yesterday's victim, as a citizen of the country and certainly as someone who is privileged to be a Deputy I am upset and concerned that these events happen. Years ago we only saw such events in films. It is not just an Irish phenomenon; it is happening in the UK and across the world. I am always upset when I hear of somebody being murdered.

The news reports of yesterday's killing have suggested it was related to drugs, which highlights the fact that gangs are making easy money and impacting on all our communities. Tallaght is no different and no worse than anywhere else and there has been a handle on many of the issues. The drugs problem is an issue for many communities and crime relating to drugs affects many communities. This problem goes beyond my constituency and affects every area in the country. In my latter days on a health board many colleagues made the point that the issue is just as challenging in other parts of the country. We all need to make representations to the health authorities, the Minister for Health and Children and the HSE on the need to continue properly funded and resourced programmes to deal with those issues.

I have always made the point that ultimately the drugs problem is a law and order issue. It is about dealing with supply. I recently heard somebody on the radio point to the great success of the Garda in recent times throughout the country and certainly in the Dublin region, including places close to my constituency. However, as I believe certain sources have confirmed, it is just the tip of the iceberg. There would be huge community support for giving the Garda everything it needs to address the drugs problem.

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