Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister accept that a UK-style gun and gang culture has developed in this city and beyond? Does he also accept that a distinction must be made between violent anti-social behaviour and organised criminal drug gangs? Has he done an assessment of what impact the reduction in Garda overtime payments by in excess of €20 million will have on dealing with anti-social behaviour?

Does the Minister accept that we now have proof that young children are drifting out of the education system early and into a life of crime, guns, drugs and violent anti-social behaviour and that this pattern will only be broken by a comprehensive scheme involving his Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Education and Science as well as the Office of the Minister for Children? Does he accept, for example, that funding for a youth diversion project in the inner city established in response to anti-social behaviour on the Liffey board walk and involving a one-stop-shop was cut by the Health Service Executive earlier this year, leaving people with no alternative other than the attractiveness of a life of crime and anti-social behaviour?

Is a Cabinet sub-committee involving the Department in place? Does he accept that the response must involve more than criminal justice and must include action by the Minister's colleagues in the Departments of Health and Children and Education and Science as well as agencies such as the HSE? Until a comprehensive plan by a Cabinet sub-committee is in place, the problem will unfortunately deteriorate. What is required is a comprehensive plan of action, rather than having mere statements in the House following a tragic event. We have had these too often and they are insufficient as they do not comply with the service obligation on the House and, specifically, the Minister to deal with this problem.

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