Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Dublin's inner city has had an horrific time recently. While other parts of the country have, unfortunately, experienced murders, I think we accept that it has been unprecedented in the north inner city. As Atticus Finch put it in To Kill a Mockingbird, one never really understands a person or a situation until one gets into their skin and walks around in it. That is what I am asking for - that the Taoiseach get inside the skin of somebody living in the north inner city. He or she looks out the window and there is no one on the street, yet, within two to three minutes, anything from 30 to 60 people are on it because the word has gone around that drugs will be available for sale. He or she could be sitting at home in his or her flat or walking down the street, perhaps going to buy the messages, meet neighbours or the pub for a drink, and, suddenly, shots ring out and somebody is gunned down and executed in front of him of her. He or she could have a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, who got caught up in addiction and owes a massive amount of money to the dealers and he or she hears a knock on the door and is told either to pay up or else do a deed, commit a murder or set somebody up for murder or the consequences will be worse for him or her.

Middle Ireland and wealthy Ireland have contributed to this also. They have also fuelled the drug trade and thus contributed to the murders and mayhem. We know that it did not happen overnight. It is continuing and will continue. As long as it continues, it will undermine the rule of law and democracy. Tackling criminal justice issues, increasing the police presence and enhancing the Criminal Assets Bureau are welcome, but that is only part of the answer. It will not resolve the more fundamental issues that have been neglected for decades. The bigger reality, as we all know and the Taoiseach said, is that people face disadvantage and inequality, whether in education, job creation, service provision or the environment, yet, as the Taoiseach also said, these communities have shown great resilience, pride and humour. I acknowledge the work that has happened. In spite of cuts of 30% to 40% for community, youth and addiction services, the work has continued in schools. There is also the role of the churches, as well as the community policing forum and community police officers.

Does the Taoiseach accept, as I am sure he will, that it is the duty of the State to protect its citizens? Does he accept that everyone - individuals, families and communities, regardless of where they live - has the right to live in peace, free of fear, intimidation and violence, and to live in a place where the State does not just talk about equality of opportunity but actually puts strategies in place that are well resourced and make a difference?

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