Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The trespass laws most definitely need to be strengthened and not just in the context of illegal hunting. Anyone found on property who has no right to be there should face far more severe penalties. Rural crime is not the only issue in my county. There are also problems with anti-social behaviour in town centres, including Ballina, Nenagh and Clonmel. I have had numerous complaints in the recent past about anti-social behaviour. Our battle against drugs is the greatest challenge facing modern society. I want to see more Garda resources being put in place to tackle this scourge on modern society. I am not here to criticise gardaí. They are doing the best they can with scarce resources. We need more resources because drugs are becoming a huge problem. They have an enormous impact on mental health and, unfortunately, on suicide rates. Anti-social behaviour in towns is a significant issue. Old people are frightened in their homes and that is a situation that we cannot allow to continue. Greater Garda resources and a greater Garda presence are the only way we can hope to combat that fear. I thank the Minister of State for her reply but we have a serious hill to climb.

We have to address these issues. We have to tackle drug abuse and those dealing in drugs. We have to face up to it. It is now an issue at every crossroads. In the past drugs were an issue only in the major urban centres but that day is long gone. The abuse of drugs is happening in every corner of our country. I want to see greater Garda resources put in place so we can really get to grips with the situation and bring to justice those who are profiting from people's misery and making serious money from it and bring the full brunt of the law to bear on them.

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