Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the grandparent of a child who is five years of age, I can understand the trauma and upset of the families concerned and all those injured. In Drogheda just over two years ago, we had a deadly drugs feud that resulted in violence, deaths and widespread fear and intimidation. The Minister responded to that in the appropriate way. Following a period of lack of interest in what was going on there, she has invested over €16 million in the last two years to address concerns in our community suffering from deprivation, drugs and crime.

The €16 million includes investment in community services, 30 additional gardaí, addiction and youth diversion projects which are very successful, education and additional teaching resources, grants for sports and cultural projects, and a microfinance fund for small businesses. This is the reality. A doctor treats not just the symptoms of an illness but removes the underlying causes. By investing in these communities, like the communities in Dublin, we will make the difference and that is what the Minister is doing.

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