Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

It is with some reluctance that I raise this issue, which is occurring in a town some distance from my constituency, but I raise it because of its seriousness. It is totally unacceptable that, in a very small area of Waterford city in recent times, 14 houses have been burnt down, two children have been shot and injured and a large cache of weapons has been uncovered and seized. People are living in fear and Army bomb disposal teams have been called on a fairly regular basis. Circumstances are totally out of hand in Waterford city.

I acknowledge the role of the Garda, to which great credit is due, but 13,000 man hours have been devoted to the problem in recent times. What is the Minister doing with other Departments, particularly the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to address the underlying feud in Waterford? What has the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform done recently other than allow the Garda sole jurisdiction in dealing with this matter? Is there a role for mediation or agencies other than the Garda? These circumstances are utterly unacceptable and must be dealt with because of the fear in the community of the lawlessness and dangerous behaviour.

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