Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have no faith that things will get better with the Minister or with the Government. Its record speaks loudly and the fact that there are nearly 500 fewer gardaí on the beat in Dublin city is a measure of its lack of sincerity. For years, Sinn Féin and others have proposed solutions and called for these issues to be addressed. We have called for investment in the Garda, increased numbers and equipment and investment in disadvantaged communities, youth clubs, sports facilities, jobs clubs and so on. We have called for investment in education, further education, supporting employment and re-employment.

Umpteen times, business owners in the city centre have shared with me their concerns about the impact of this everyday crime and violence on their businesses. Shoplifting, break-ins and threats to staff are sadly all too common. For over a year now, some Dublin city-based business groups have been requesting a meeting with the Minister regarding crime and antisocial behaviour, but it was only in the immediate aftermath of the riots that the meeting was granted.

Workers have shared with me their experience of violence, abuse and harassment as they work in the city centre. This is happening while they are in work, when they are going to work and when they are coming home from work. Does this sound like a safe city? Does it sound like a city the Minister has engaged with? Does it sound like a city the Government cares about? It does not to me, not on the basis of current and past performance. It is for that reason that we have no confidence in this Minister.

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