Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Rabbitte began with homicide and I very fairly accepted there was an increase in the number of homicides last year but I pointed out that there was a reduction in the number of gangland homicides in which firearms were used. There was an overall increase in the homicide rate last year, as Deputy Rabbitte pointed out, and there are wider social trends in operation here. A substantial number of killings stem from domestic violence and that is why Cosc was established in my Department as an executive office, namely, to give greater priority to the issue of domestic violence.

Deputy Rabbitte then asked the obvious and salient question about commenting on current cases. I comment on criminal incidents in a general sense. However, I do not comment in detail on the facts of a case when charges have not even been preferred, as is the case in regard to the incident which happened in recent days in Drimnagh. I deplore the phenomenon Deputy Rabbitte outlined of marauding youths intimidating neighbours and residents lawfully going about their business.

We have allocated a very substantial budget to the Garda Síochána which stands at €1.6 billion this year. The attested strength of the Garda is 13,732 with a further 1,310 gardaí in student training, which is a record number. We are determined to ensure they are deployed to maximum effect in dealing with these gangs. There is a panoply of legislation in operation. I have established an alcohol advisory group which will report quickly and will result in legislation to introduce further curbs on the availability of alcohol which is a major factor in the public disorder to which Deputy Rabbitte referred.

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