Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I very much welcome the opportunity afforded by this debate to hear the views of members of all parties of the House on the subject of tackling crime.

The public understandably has concerns about crime and properly makes those concerns known to us, as public representatives. Deputies in this House are well placed to know what is happening in their communities, what forms of crime are causing problems in their areas and the local conditions which can exacerbate, for example, the problems of public disorder.

I am glad that this debate is not in the form of ritualised motions and countermotions defending and attacking the record of the Government in dealing with crime.

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