Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach will be in contact to arrange the briefings. We will do that as quickly as possible once we find a suitable time. We want to ensure everybody is aware of the extensive work being done in the north inner city and the extensive Garda resources that are being deployed there. We had a useful meeting last night with the Garda Commissioner and her senior officers. They are working night and day to deal with the appalling situation that we face in respect of gangland crime. I know they have the full support of the House in their efforts. The situation we face is unprecedented and the ferocity, intensity and savagery of the gang members who are intent on killing one another is unprecedented but the Garda has faced down criminal gangs and terrorists successfully. With the resources available, with the determination and motivation of all the gardaí patrolling the streets and with the armed response that is available, they will continue to make every effort to prevent, investigate and prosecute. We have seen some of the successes of their work in recent prosecutions.

I confirm that I discussed the task force when I visited the local community last week and met representatives of various community groups with the Garda Commissioner and senior officers working in the area. We met youth workers and others who are working to prevent problem relating to drugs in the area. We met a wide range of community representatives with whom the Deputy will be familiar and we had an initial discussion about setting up a task force. They highlighted, in particular, the need for the housing authorities and social welfare officials to work together to ensure their services are being used appropriately by people. Locals are concerned that there would not be abuse of those services by people who have assets. There was also a discussion about a task force to deal with the broader socioeconomic issues in the area. The way the Government and I intend to take this forward is to ensure the task force is, in the first instance, Government-led and set up in close consultation with local public representatives and community groups in order that we work through a consultative process to decide precisely the best way to deal with the issues about which the local community is concerned. It will be very much a partnership approach. There is not yet a date. We have just had a recent killing and the Taoiseach will decide the appropriate time for him to visit the area.

The Deputy also asked about resources. Extensive resources are being made available and both the Taoiseach and I made it absolutely clear to the Garda Commissioner and her senior officers last night that whatever resources are needed to deal with the current threat will be made available to An Garda Síochána. That is the commitment and the Government stands by that. We have taken action to ensure whatever overtime, resources and support they need will be provided. There will be legislative change in respect of CAB and other areas. I would welcome input from Members in this regard.

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