Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

It seems from the Minister's successive replies on this issue that his concept of the community garda is somewhat less than international best practice would advise. In the circumstances there is no great change in what we are looking at, other than a label. To my mind, that is wholly insufficient to meet the needs of modern communities. The Minister adverted earlier to the fact that one of the major impediments to community policing — adding to the type of anti-social behaviour which is rampant throughout the country — is the widespread availability of alcohol. The link between anti-social behaviour in communities and alcohol deserves urgent consideration on the part of the Minister. Notwithstanding the ministerial reviews he has announced, will the Minister confirm to the House that the current review and forthcoming report will be treated more seriously by him and his Department than its predecessors under the chairmanship of Dr. Holmes? I invite the Minister to——

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