Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

I move amendment No. 62:

In page 39, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following:

"(a) the taking of rapid and effective action to terminate the tenancy of any household where a member or members of that household have engaged in anti-social behaviour,".

Anti-social behaviour in society generally, and in local authority housing estates, has become a plague of modern living to such an extent that facilities which in other countries would be seen as of benefit to a local community have now become a considerable burden for those communities. These include facilities such as a public park, an alley way, a grove or a woodland area that should add value not only to cost of people's homes but also to the quality of life in local communities.

The Minister of State proposes to introduce measures in the Bill to combat anti-social behaviour in local authority estates. When examined, however, those measures do nothing other than add further bureaucratic duties to local authority staff.

I propose actions that local authorities can take. These will not only create a local anti-social behaviour strategy for which an anti-social behaviour officer must tick off boxes but when that officer comes across such behaviour he or she will be able to take meaningful and direct action. I ask the Minister of State to support amendment No. 62 and the House to adopt it.

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