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

The antisocial behaviour we can see on streets and in estates and communities is very upsetting for local residents. The Deputy made that point very clearly. It is a very important part of local policing. There are now some new initiatives in the parks. The police are working where young people are gathering and getting to know them, and they are interrupting anti-social behaviour. We need to see more of that kind of policing in public places because this behaviour interferes hugely with people's quality of life, it is dangerous for the young people and it interferes with people who just want to use the park for recreational purposes. In my own area of Lucan and Clondalkin I have seen some very effective local policing in respect of these issues and I believe it is an increasing focus of community policing. I am very pleased that the development of community policing is a priority in the policing programme for this year.

See this speech in context