Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Bruton said, the programme for Government commits to building stronger and safer communities. It also commits to expanding the Dublin north east inner city model to other comparable areas experiencing disadvantage. At a joint policing committee, JPC, meeting last Friday, Mr. Gerard Roche, the chief superintendent in Limerick, when speaking about drugs, said, "We have more intelligence than we can act on." I have been a member of the Limerick JPC for more than ten years and I have never heard such a blunt statement from such a senior garda. This is a startling statement. The local drugs gang in my city, unfortunately, is working 24-7 dealing its filth across our communities. It is giving the two fingers to everybody. I said this to the Minister for Justice and Equality last week. The two fingers from these drugs gangs are not just to me, the local community, the Garda Síochána or to Limerick council; they are two fingers to the State. I ask the Taoiseach to ensure that additional resources, including gardaí, are deployed as a matter of urgency to deal with these thugs in my city. The residents need some assurance that they will not be abandoned.

See this speech in context