Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

On Committee Stage there was a detailed discussion of issues relating to anti-social behaviour. Today we have seen again that many Deputies have contributed because there are always strong feelings about this issue.

Section 35 of the Bill contains significant provision to strengthen existing powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, including the introduction of anti-social behaviour strategies by housing authorities to provide for co-operation between bodies, procedures for the making of complaints, initiatives for the prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour and other amendments to the 1997 Act.

I outlined to the committee why certain Opposition amendments were inappropriate and unnecessary and why it has not been possible to bring forward further amendments in this area due to legal proceedings that are currently underway. These arguments continue to apply and I do not propose to accept any of the amendments.

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