Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the community in north-east Dublin that every effort will be made to pursue vigorously those responsible for lawlessness and criminality in the area. I was in touch with the Garda Commissioner this morning because I am keen to ensure that those responsible will be brought to justice. I accept, as Deputy Haughey stated, that our fundamental duty is to ensure the protection of our citizens. That is why unprecedented resources, amounting to €1.7 billion, are now available to An Garda Síochána. I mentioned earlier the addition of vehicles to the Garda fleet and improved technology. I assure the Deputies from the area that An Garda Síochána is making relentless efforts to stop what is, in essence, a local feud. The armed support unit is active in the area, there have been thousands of Garda checkpoints in recent times and gardaí have been on patrol. While the unacceptable violence, resulting in murders, has been the issue on everybody's lips in the area, we must acknowledge recent successes on the part of An Garda Síochána in the context of arrests and the seizure of weapons, drugs and cash. On behalf of the Garda Commissioner, I assure the House that those responsible for and engaged in criminal activity will be brought to account.

I agree with Deputy Haughey that the response has to be more than one of a criminal justice nature. I spoke to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, during the week regarding this issue. I will be happy to engage with other colleagues from the area as well to ensure, as Deputy Haughey suggested, that there is a whole-of-Government response. My responsibility is in the area of criminal justice-----

See this speech in context