Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Adams in that the people who live in these inner city areas have every right to have at their disposal proper facilities and opportunities for their children. I agree with Deputy Adams about their commitment to make that opportunity available for their children and families. Why not? I saw and felt as much when I was at the funeral mass of Martin O'Rourke. People came up to me and made the very point Deputy Adams has made, and I agree with it completely.

It is a fact of life and I have said this already. I intend to see that, in so far as this Government can, with the help of everyone, we turn our face towards dealing with social disadvantage and unfairness. The children growing up in these areas are at a serious disadvantage to others in many places throughout the country. We have a position whereby the economy is in a position to deliver better than before. Really and truly, I hope to make progress by meeting with the community leadership and giving the Garda the resources and facilities to do its job in dealing with gangland crime. It is exceptionally labour-intensive, costly and a drain on the taxpayer, but it is necessary for the safety, protection and opportunity of communities throughout the country. We intend to stand by that, and I know Deputy Adams and Sinn Féin will support us in that regard.

It is distressing to read of the lock-down of schools and the fears of parents, who are afraid of what is going to happen to their children. Perfectly innocent young people have been gunned down in the madness of inter-gangland, inter-family rivalry and feuding. The people who organised the procession the other day did a superb job. The day before, the Minister for Justice and Equality met the communities and their leadership for over two hours to hear their concerns, feel their anxiety and see whether together we can put in place a process that will deal with this. As Deputy Adams is well aware, it took years to deal with the McCarthy Dundon gang. It took years to deal with Gilligan. It took years to deal with The General.

It does require information, resources, capacity and courage from young people who join the Garda. That is why Templemore has been opened. That is why there will be increased numbers of young gardaí coming through. That is why I was glad when the Commissioner mentioned to me that the application for the armed unit had been very much oversubscribed by people who have a real opportunity here and a real commitment to dealing with this. After this evening’s meeting with the Commissioner, the assistant commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality to get the update on what extra is being put in here, what facilities are available and the capacity of gardaí to do their job, I want Government to be able to work with those communities and others throughout the country to deliver for their children and their cities in a way that we could say Government will not be intimidated by this kind of murderous feuding, that it will not lie down in the face of that, and that it will deliver for the people and the resources will be there for gardaí to protect those communities and people. That is our duty and our responsibility.

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