Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is and I am sorry that Deputy Adams has taken a political line on this. I reject his assertion that the party I lead is not geared to deal with social disadvantage. I also reject the assertion he makes that the Government is not geared to deal with it. I was very pleased to see all of the public representatives who were there last night who chose to listen to the people and the community leaders in the north inner city. I found the meeting very constructive and positive from all of the work that is going on there. The point was made that people certainly have a feeling of a divide between those who make decisions and those who have to live in the community of the north inner city.

We heard the stories of isolation, fear and the need for visibility on the streets of members of An Garda Síochána and the facilities it required. We heard the stories of what needed to happen about drugs and drug treatment, the provision of injection rooms and the carrying of drugs by couriers from place to place. We heard all of those stories from real people. I intend to meet the public representatives on Monday to hear their priorities. In response to Deputy Gerry Adams, I am not going to make a political football out of this issue. I am not because the issues that need to be addressed in the north inner city are replicated in other places around the country. The decision makers here – the Government – using a strong and growing economy, need to invest in areas that were neglected. What did they say last night? They said it was the small things - the broken panes of glass, the unpainted signs, the unkempt footpaths, the inability of children to cross the street safely - that impacted on ordinary people's lives.

See this speech in context