Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept that, of course I do. I understand, from Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's experience as a public representative and citizen, that she knows more than most and knows many of the people involved in the north inner city directly. I respect this. The agenda she has set out is part and parcel of what we have to do. It is, of course, the duty of the State to ensure citizens are protected. It is a duty of the State to ensure citizens can go about their daily lives free of fear and pressure such as that experienced in the north inner city. However, it also has a duty to connect all of the interdepartmental agencies together. Whether it be in justice, housing, education, training, upskilling or apprenticeships, an opportunity has to be provided for young people and those who in the past might have taken a different route. It is a major challenge. When this was done in Limerick, the restoration projects took ten, 15 or even 20 years and required an enormous amount of money. We have to start by resourcing gardaí to do their job. As the Deputy knows, arrests have been made and there are investigations ongoing into the unfortunate murders. There is much more evidence on the streets and people have been warned that their lives are in danger because of the intelligence being made available to gardaí. We hope it can and will stop. In so far as the Garda is concerned, its crime task force will be resourced and given whatever facilities the Commissioner requests. The State, public representatives, community leaders and communities will need joined-up thinking, backed up by resources, to provide evidence that, for these communities, having hope is not just an aspiration but can becomes a reality in terms of facilities, opportunities, the provision of training, paths to employment and hope for a better life.

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