Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The appalling knife attack on three innocent children and a care worker in Parnell Square last Thursday shocked and horrified us all. What followed in the hours after that shocked us even further. Far-right activists descended on the city centre to spew out their vile message of division and fear. Others took advantage of the situation in order to engage in unprecedented looting and vandalism.

I want to focus on the Garda response to these riots. Gardaí at the scene acted with heroic bravery, but it is clear that the Garda strategy for dealing with such incidents is inadequate. The softly-softly approach adopted to date in the belief that a more forceful response would further provoke the rioters has not worked. It was found wanting a few weeks ago when Leinster House was put into lockdown for several hours. It was inappropriate when library workers were intimidated and migrants were attacked outside their accommodation centres and on our streets. Circumstances have changed and a new approach is needed. We are a European capital in every respect except, it seems, when it comes to policing.

The crisis relating to Garda recruitment and retention must be tackled. Gardaí must be given adequate resources and training and be allowed to use facial recognition technology in response to incidents of violent disorder. Above all, they need absolute clarity on the use of force in these situations so that they are not afraid to act. We need an informed and respectful debate on migration. Migration is good for our society and our economy. I condemn utterly racism of any kind. Diversity enriches us. That said, we also need to address any problems when they arise - as they continue to - as regards the provision of accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers.

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