Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Two multiagency task forces have been set up in this city in recent years, one in the north inner city and one in Cherry Orchard. On both occasions, I welcomed those multiagency task forces, but I also pointed out that one of the areas with the most deprivation in this city is the Liberties and Dublin 8. I highlighted the need for us to focus on this area where there is intergenerational poverty, drug abuse, crime, etc. That is impacting the community, and without a multiagency approach, the situation only continues in that cycle. Most of those who were out canvassing for parties during the recent election campaigns will have seen for themselves again, if they needed to, the level of poverty and the level of intimidation by drug gangs in certain parts of the south inner city.

The community looks on and sees all these bright ideas and new apartments being built in the city while they are being asked to live in squalor and to put up with intimidation day in and day out. There are scenes where gangs are taking over whole blocks of apartments and ruling the roost. If this means there is a problem in terms of crime, that needs to be addressed by An Garda Síochána. If there is dilapidation of the flat complex, that means the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the local authority need to take steps. In terms of education too, children are also growing in poverty and seeing for themselves crime occurring on an incredibly open level. Masked gangs are permanently in situ in their flat complexes or on the streets and no action is taken. This is not the way to have children growing up and a community looking forward.

See this speech in context