Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

There were 15,813 referrals of 12- to 17-year-olds to the Garda youth diversion programme in 2023. They are the ones who end up getting into the system but I am more concerned about the ones, the hangers-on of the ring leaders, who should not get into the system in the first place. Are there any further plans for consequences? I raised the issue some months ago with the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, of the need to put in place some sort of ban or restriction on social media for 11- to 13-year-olds because of the Andrew Tate-ificiation of young males in particular, who have no real role models in a more feminised primary school system. I have mentioned nitrous oxide canisters previously and the Taoiseach said he would look into action on that. What plans does the Government have to have consequences for actions? We know there are root causes and I have raised those root causes previously but if someone does something, where are the consequences?

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