Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Not agreed. It is not so much that we have an issue with statements on agriculture or climate change, which are important issues, but the fact I have raised on two separate occasions the issue of violence on our streets and the killings that have happened, particularly in Dublin and the north inner city. I understood on the previous occasion I raised this issue that there was a sense of agreement as to the urgency of the issue, yet we have not had an opportunity to have statements on it. With that in mind, I had intended to stand to object to the Dáil finishing at 6.30 p.m., but now time has been added on in respect of the agricultural statements at the request of Deputy Micheál Martin. At what stage will we have statements on the issue of crime and gangland killings?

At what stage does the acting Minister intend to present herself to the Dáil to take questions and to make a statement? This Chamber has been mute on this issue and it is utterly scandalous.

I understand the pressures in the agriculture sector and I acknowledge the point that has been well made. In order of emergency and merit, however, we should be taking statements on crime and gangland killings with the Minister for Justice and Equality present. We should at least offer some reassurance to the public that we are not entirely in cloud cuckoo land and that we are in touch with what is happening on the ground. I do not know how the Ceann Comhairle is going to square this circle for me or if he will. The Ceann Comhairle has been most accommodating to Deputy Martin and I presume the Ceann Comhairle will be accommodating to my concerns and tell me when and where we will have the statements on an issue of absolute importance and urgency. At this stage we are well behind the curve in respect of addressing this matter. We should not imagine that this goes unnoticed by the people who elected us. Is it possible to reschedule the business again within the remit of today's business to allow for those statements on crime, gangland killings and Garda resourcing? The Taoiseach might enlighten us.

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