Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

One of my daughters was with many others in August at a going-away party in the company of the young man, an employee of Google, who was murdered in Sandymount. It happened in the early hours of the morning while he was walking home with friends and he intervened to protect a girl on the street who was being physically abused by her companion. The ending of that young man's life had a shattering effect on his family and on all who knew him. Unfortunately, such incidences are an increasingly regular occurrence. Long sentences are needed for those who end other people's lives, regardless of class or so-called good character.

In most parts of the country, the single biggest day-to-day priority is tackling anti-social behaviour, which can so much affect others' quality of life, especially the quality of life of those who do not have the most advantages. Things can go horribly wrong, as occurred on an estate in Clonmel last spring and as referred to by Deputy Rabbitte. Extra Garda numbers must lead to a greater Garda presence on the streets in convincing strength, in places and at times when trouble is most likely, especially Friday and Saturday nights. There should be incentives for gardaí willing to live on-the-job in Garda stations in smaller villages so that there is always a Garda presence. This is a confidence issue with many communities.

I welcome the establishment of liaison committees in south Tipperary, initially in Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir, but I hope soon in Cashel and Tipperary town also. During the Seanad debate on the legislation a couple of years ago, I seriously pressed the Minister's predecessor to include town councils as well as bigger local authorities, and he did so. We must realise a holistic approach is required involving issues such as street lighting, housing maintenance, the positioning of walls and pathways, as well as positive recreational opportunities, including sports halls as mentioned by Deputy Olivia Mitchell, all of which are the function of other public authorities. All of these issues have a part to play.

Finally, we should use the resources we have to the best effect. Members of the Garda or the Garda Reserve should not be doing jobs that civilians could do equally well. I regret that high calibre judges have been diverted to tribunals that have lasted far too long. Prisons must be rehabilitative and not breeding grounds for crime. A new and drug-free environment must be the goal. Generally speaking, prisons should be used as far as possible only when restraint for the protection of the public as well as punishment is required. Tax evaders, for example, can be punished and deterred in other ways. Far more use generally should be made of name and shame, as well as financial penalties on those who can well afford them. Holding someone in prison, unnecessarily, is a penalty on the State.

A low crime rate will help all other economic and social objectives. We should not be despondent. Two centuries ago the world largely rid itself of piracy on the high seas and Jefferson, as invoked by Deputy Seán Barrett, was the person chiefly responsible for this. Equivalent achievements are not beyond our reach today.

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