Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As colleagues have said, across the board there has been shock and horror expressed at the injuries inflicted on small children and a brave crèche worker last Thursday afternoon. Like everyone here today, I send my best wishes to them and their families. They are at the forefront of our thoughts as we discuss what happened last Thursday here today.

I say this as somebody born and raised in Dublin. What unfolded on Thursday night was an absolute disgrace. It was wanton thuggery and violence perpetrated by a very small minority of people. They were not on the streets to legitimately protest anything. They were there to loot, to destroy, to cause harm and to serve their own selfish needs. Let us be very clear: they do not represent Dubliners nor do they represent our city. What we saw with the riots on Thursday evening was the very lowest of the low, but in response what we got was the best of the best. I am speaking about the gardaí who came from all over Dublin and all over the country to stand shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues.

I am speaking about the Dublin Fire Brigade, the National Ambulance Service and the first responders who were first on the scene during this horrific incident, as well as those members of Phibsborough fire station who assisted in the initial response and the same crews who were attacked that evening in a despicable manner. I am speaking about the bus and taxi drivers who brought people out of harm's way. I am speaking about the Dublin City Council workers who stood up at 3 that morning to carry out the massive clean-up operation. I am speaking about the business owners and their staff who refused to lie down and got our city open again on Friday. I am speaking about the proud Dubliners who in their droves have expressed their unreserved revulsion at what happened.

Dublin is a unique city. It is an international hub. It is our national capital and the economic engine of the country. It is a special place. The awful scenes of wanton destruction last Thursday evening only serve to mar its reputation. This is something we cannot stand for. What the people of Ireland and Dubliners want is for their Government to take concrete actions, and that is what we will do. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, has outlined what we are doing, what we have done and what we will continue to do. What they do not want to hear is for the capital to be disparaged. They do not want to hear it being talked down. Yet, that is what is happening here and what, unfortunately, has happened in this Chamber over the last couple of days. It took less than 24 hours after the horrific events on Thursday for the Sinn Féin leader to call for resignations and to criticise the Garda response. She reverted to form, trying to further sow division, discord and disrespect. She has a responsibility in this House, as does every single Member, to stand with our emergency services, gardaí, to work in a constructive way, and not to try to score political points or to use an awful situation to further their own political agendas. I think the Deputy needs to reflect on some of the remarks she has made over recent days. This Government is very focused on supporting our gardaí, Dubliners and this city.

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