Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

A number of important criminal justice issues have been brought forward by the Administration and I am sure there are more to come to try to deal with the problems that are arising in modern society. On the question of anti-social behaviour and anti-social behaviour orders, the legislation requires that a sequence must be followed before one can be issued. This involves formal warnings being issued before an order comes into play and additional steps in the case of children. I understand that, up to the end of October, 907 warnings were issued to adults and 548 to children under the legislation. In addition, 12 behaviour contracts have been entered into for children. Where it is necessary for gardaí to seek behaviour orders, they have done so and three have been obtained.

We must be realistic about what such orders can achieve. They were never intended to nor can they address, unfortunately, the problem of gun crime. The point is taken that we must continue to review to the greatest extent we can to maximise effectiveness within the resources available. The Minister has spoken out strongly against a growing gun culture in our society and he has indicated his intentions in that respect regarding the question of handguns, etc. While there is no room to be complacent and there is always room to listen to ideas as to how the situation can be improved, that would be an accurate assessment of the up-to-date situation.

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