Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

The savage killing last week of two Polish men in Drimnagh caused widespread shock and revulsion. It signalled a new low in a society that is becoming increasingly steeped in violence. We have become used to hearing most weekends about people being attacked and suffering serious injury or even death. As for gangland crime, we seem quickly to have become used to the almost daily news that another gang member has been shot. It is shocking to think about the amount of violent crime that is now prevalent on our streets. This was a country that 20 years ago had little violent crime.

In extending his condolences to the Polish Prime Minister, Mr. Donald Tusk, on the deaths of the two Polish men last week, the Taoiseach said that the people of Ireland were shocked and saddened to hear of the violent attack. He also said it was a tragedy which had nothing to do with the fact that both men were Polish. He believed the attacks were random, and it could have been anyone who happened along that night. That is the sad reality this country is facing today. The Taoiseach said the attack was an isolated incident, but it was not. We may not like to face up to unpalatable facts, especially when offering condolences to the Prime Minister of another country because two of its citizens were murdered in cold blood on our streets. However, this was not an isolated incident.

For some time, we have had proof that teen violence is spiralling out of control. Young teenagers are arming themselves with knives, blades and other dangerous implements before going out on the streets. Six years ago a young man by the name of Brian Higgins was stabbed by a 15 year old who was trying to steal his mobile phone. We should also remember Brian Murphy, the young man kicked to death outside Annabel's nightclub in 2000. His family still mourn their loss. They are only two families concerned, however. A young librarian from Sligo, Barry Duggan, was kicked to death on Dublin's Grafton Street in 2003. How many families have to lose members before real action is taken?

The public copes with gangland crime by thinking that those involved are organised crime figures, set apart, little deserving of our sympathy as they go about slaughtering each other. Let us remember first of all that our gardaí must deal with these people as they try to enforce the laws of the land. We do not serve them well or properly by treating such people as untouchables. They must be treated the same as all others who are outside the law but more resources are needed to tackle organised crime. Fighting such crime will not be cheap. The Government will have to redeploy resources from other areas and that may be an unpopular move.

Last Monday, two men charged in connection with an arms haul in Cork last year were sentenced to prison terms. It followed a joint operation between the Garda Síochána and members of Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency. The two men, part of a criminal gang, had been shopping for weapons, including two rocket launchers, Kalashnikov assault rifles and Uzi submachine guns. This was not in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but in Cork.

It must be remembered also that at this time, a number of serious criminals are behind bars in this country thanks to the Garda Síochána's organised crime unit, the OCU. I commend the Minister for establishing this unit on a permanent basis. The OCU has been credited with the arrests of more than 100 gangland suspects, the seizure of millions of euro worth of drugs, and a reduction in the number of armed cash-in-transit robberies. It proves that it can be done but it requires a cohesive, sustained approach.

Those who think that gangland crime is a step removed from the rest of society would do well to remember Donna Cleary, the young woman who died after shots were fired indiscriminately at a house where she was attending a 40th birthday party. The house came under fire because those responsible had not been allowed in. They were vicious thugs as well as being cocaine and heroin addicts. Who would believe that could happen in Dublin in 2006? The then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said the event marked "a watershed point for all our thinking on these matters". The Taoiseach said that "We had hit a new low". We seem to keep hitting these new lows, as the Taoiseach will no doubt agree, after the events of last week. Donna Cleary's family probably did not get much comfort from being told that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Another victim was Anthony Campbell, a young apprentice plumber, executed as he installed a washing machine. There will be more such cases as we witness criminals attacking each other with impunity in cars on city streets and motorways, and on public thoroughfares. Much of it starts with anti-social behaviour, including acts of vandalism and rowdy behaviour escalating into intimidation of local residents. Communities thus begin to live in fear. People who work hard are entitled to live in peaceful communities and not be subjected to harassment and torment.

The subject of ASBOs has been discussed by my colleagues. This time last year, the European crime and safety survey, the most comprehensive analysis of crime, security and safety ever conducted in the European Union, found that Ireland has the highest levels of common crime. The Gallup study found Ireland has the highest levels of assault with violence, sexual assaults and robberies in the EU, and that Irish people feel the most victimised by crime. The risk of theft from the person in Ireland was found to be double the European average and we have the third highest rate of burglaries in the EU. That was before last year's general election when promises were made to tackle crime, but instead we have had a head-in-the-sand approach.

I will finish by asking the Minister some direct questions. His record as Minister for Children was excellent. Will he show similar courage now? Where is the courage of Nora Owen as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Deputy Quinn as Minister for Finance when, along with the then Taoiseach, they set up the Criminal Assets Bureau and brought through legislation in a matter of weeks? They cut through all the red tape and bureaucracy. Will the Minister show courage on this occasion when it is so badly needed?

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