Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleague, Deputy O'Gorman, for allowing me to usurp some of his time. I will be as quick as possible. I ask the Minister to reply to me in writing if he feels the need to so do, rather than taking up more of Deputy O'Gorman's time.

I echo the views expressed by many other Deputies regarding the murder in America and the horrendous racism we are seeing there. I am conscious that we must also look to the beam in our own eye. Like many other Deputies, I receive many emails regarding direct provision, the treatment of Travellers and the need for hate crime legislation.

This is an area where we need to be aware of our own issues and look closely at them, instead of simply patting ourselves on the back and saying that at least we are not as bad as America, where things are truly bad.

I would also like to ask the Minister about the divisional protective services units. These are an excellent development within An Garda Síochána. While I am aware they are being staffed by gardaí with specialist training, what engagement has there been with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Tusla to ensure social workers are sitting at the same table as gardaí? When they are sitting together, there is an overlap between their work in regard to sexual violence, child protection and domestic violence. International studies have shown that it is best when social workers and law enforcement are sitting at the same table, talking the same language and pulling in the same direction. I have raised this with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and while it is important that Tusla ensures it pushes its way into those units, it is important that we invite it in as well. That is why I am asking the Minister for Justice and Equality as well as the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

In my own constituency, there have been issues of antisocial behaviour and there is a great need for improved community policing. We need to look at creative ways to ensure there are more police on the beat - more police walking or cycling through these estates or cycling up and down the canal, as I have said.

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