Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My thoughts in the first instance are with those who are still in hospital, as are most people's thoughts, and with those who tackled the assailant. That vicious attack was taken advantage of by those on the far right and it needs to be condemned. However, that was, in turn, taken advantage of by a group intent on lawlessness, and that has been pervasive on the streets of inner-city Dublin for the length of time this Dáil has been sitting. I have listened to Deputy Gannon talk about it. When I was Chair of the Covid-19 committee, I was getting communications from people in the south inner city who were saying that, once ordinary people were off the streets, these young thugs took control of the streets. The Garda has not taken back control of those streets to date. That is a problem for which this Government needs to find a solution. It has needed to find a solution to it for three years but it urgently needs a solution by tomorrow when the Minister will address the Dáil. Without that solution, the situation will be taken advantage of again.

There are also some in this House who want to take advantage of the situation to shut down debate and tell us what we can and cannot talk about. I find that perverse and deeply disturbing. Just as Deputy O'Callaghan says he is representing his constituents, I have many constituents with concerns about immigration. They are not racists or bigots. They are not looking to riot or to subvert the rule of law but they have concerns and we need to discuss those concerns because we are elected to discuss issues on behalf of our constituents.

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