Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Is it not a fact that the number of murders was up, according to the CSO, by 30% and the number of attempted murders by 61%? There are statistics, lies and damn lies.

The Minister stated properly that he wanted to extend his sympathy to the families and friends of the two young men murdered in the past ten days and I join him in so doing. He then proceeded to say, also properly, that it would not be appropriate for him to comment further. Is it not the case that he has elevated to the level of policy a virtue of not commenting, unlike his predecessor, whenever a tragedy such as this happens? Unfortunately, one happens every weekend. The Minister, however, does not comment. What has he to say to law-abiding citizens fearful for their personal safety because of gangs of teenagers congregating with menace and intimidating them with a garda nowhere to be seen or found? What kind of sickness is in our society when law-abiding citizens are fearful of these gangs of marauding teenagers who gather with menace outside off-licenses, etc?

What has the Minister to say to the parents of young people going out at night and who are fearful that they might accidentally become the next victim of such gangs of youths because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time?

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