Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The crisis in Europe continues and it appears Ireland is standing idly by while Rome burns. Three weeks ago, I wrote to the Taoiseach requesting a meeting to discuss a co-ordinated response from parties in this House to the eurozone crisis and to the question of treaty change. He refused point blank such a meeting.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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With good reason.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The time for ducking and diving is over in regard to the eurozone crisis. There is no sense of any inclusive discussion or negotiation and there is no sense of Ireland putting forward any ideas, proposals or suggestions. Has the Taoiseach spoken to, or met, any eurozone leader since his meeting with Chancellor Merkel regarding forthcoming proposals? Has he spoken to President van Rompuy? Has he tabled ideas to him about limited treaty change or whatever it takes to come through this? There is more clarity in terms of proposed treaty changes in the international media than there is in this House. There has been no clarity, no frankness of discussion and no engagement on it.

People do not have a difficulty with stronger budgetary surveillance across Europe but anyone who thinks that alone will restore market confidence is choosing to ignore reality. I have been saying for months in the House that the European Central Bank, ECB, has to be allowed to intervene effectively and decisively in this crisis and that is being put off month after month. Only one month ago, the Taoiseach came back from a summit saying all was well and decisive steps had been taken. That unravelled within days.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Eight months ago, Fianna Fáil was responsible.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Given we read this morning that major global companies are engaged in planning scenarios for a euro crash, can the Taoiseach confirm that the Government has contingent plans for the worst case scenario because people are now talking about a crisis turning into a catastrophe?

The ESRI made the important point that GDP will grow next year by 1% while GNP will fall and grow by less than 1% because of the eurozone debt crisis. Given those predictions, will the Taoiseach confirm to the House that the Government is sticking to the 1.6% growth rate as outlined in the fiscal framework some weeks ago and that this growth target is tenable and credible?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I note the Deputy used the phrase "standing idly by".

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It will be Fianna Fáil's epitaph.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Fianna Fáil was doing that for the past four years.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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One more famous than Deputy Martin or myself used that phrase.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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He never used the word "idly".

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is true that the Deputy wrote to me a couple of weeks back but it was not just to request a meeting to discuss this. He wanted it so that I could be given a mandate from leaders of the Opposition to go to Europe. I made the point to him in my response that the two parties opposite are diametrically opposed in respect of their views on Europe. Fine Gael and the Labour Party have a clear view about Europe, which Fianna Fáil shares but which the other party does not share. There is no point having a meeting where clearly diametrically opposed political views are expected to give me a mandate according to the Deputy's letter. I explained that in my response; I did not turn down the request point blank. I pointed out the complete daftness of looking for a mandate or a recommendation from his party and from Sinn Féin when they are diametrically opposed on this.

I expect to speak to President van Rompuy who was mandated at the last Council meeting to produce a programme and proposals for the road map for the time ahead. That is to be produced on 9 December. I understand leaders in France and Germany are about to make pretty major speeches but we have had all the speculation, endless comment and endless commentary from economists, bankers and those on the sidelines who do not have to make the decision here. The Deputy will understand that this is now a crisis in the eurozone, as I pointed out previously. A decision of the last meeting was that the EFSF should have two vehicles available to it to ratchet up funding to provide this credible backstop and firewall of more than €1 trillion. That lost the confidence of the markets. Has anybody out there the answer to this problem and question which now needs to be addressed? I have set out on many occasions that the ECB is the port of call of infinite firewall capability to prevent all that contagion. Some countries oppose that for strong reasons. In my view, the answer to this problem has to lie with the support of the ECB in whatever form, be it through the EFSF, IMF or some facility in that regard but it has got to be dealt with quickly.

We had the discussion about the position on treaty change. Even if all the countries were to agree, which they would not, of course, one cannot deal with this crisis by that method before Christmas.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It has got to be dealt with politically and quickly. We have been clear about this and I am glad the Deputy shares my view in respect of the requirement of support for the ECB because this is a concern for business in respect of investment into the eurozone and into Ireland and, clearly, for a country that exports so much from our shores, if other countries are having trouble with banks and restructuring and their economies are in decline, this issue has to be addressed forcefully.

I listened carefully to Dr. Durkan of the ESRI this morning. While his predictions were short of where they were last year, I want the Deputy to understand that the Government has set its face in respect of producing our budget for 5 and 6 December and we are not changing the target we have set now. I note that Dr. Durkan said that if Europe and the eurozone sorted out their political problem about this financial crisis, confidence would return very quickly. That is where I am focused. I believe in the best result here, which is political leadership to sort out the problem and let us get on with our business. We have our difficulties here at home that we must deal with ourselves.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I respectfully suggest to the Taoiseach that it would be never daft for political leaders in this House to meet on a crisis so severe and profound as the one we are now facing within Europe.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin should be constructive.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We had no difficulty, and the Government had no difficulty, proposing a mandate from this Parliament on corporate tax, which was unanimously agreed. There was no difficulty with a parliamentary mandate when the previous Government was involved in summit negotiations.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin obviously did not listen to the debate which took place last night.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Nor has the current Administration had such a difficulty because it has a mandate. This crisis is so severe it is important that frank discussions should take place both in this House and between political parties-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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A question please.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----in the context of the options that are being considered. What eventually emerges should not come as a surprise to parliamentarians or to the people who are being kept in the dark with regard to what is being suggested or proposed by European leaders in respect of the eurozone.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This is a speech.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The difficulty is-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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A question please.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----that all sorts of predictions regarding outcomes, etc., have been made after each summit which has taken place since February. We have been continually informed that things will get better and that decisive interventions have been made. Within days, however, every set of proposals that has emanated from one of these summits has failed. When he entered Government, the Taoiseach stated that he would embark on a diplomatic initiative.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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A question please, Deputy.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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He has not done so.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should ask a supplementary question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This is a speech.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Does the Taoiseach agree with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, who stated yesterday that the Government has no idea what will be proposed?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In the context our seeking unanimity and a mandate on the corporation tax rate, everyone agreed with what we sought to do. There were no dissenting voices in this country or in this Parliament or to the 12.5% rate relating thereto. There was, therefore, no question with regard to unanimity.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There was no dissent when the relevant motion was put to the House. Prior to that, however, people outlined their different positions.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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If Deputy Martin can square his views on Europe with those of Deputy Adams and if the two can come to me with an agreed position with regard to where we should be-----

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----I will certainly listen to what they have to say.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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There is no Mullingar accord on this side of the House.

A Deputy:

Deputy Ó Caoláin can build a firewall over there.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Never the twain shall meet.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach must challenge people. He must make them familiar with the issues.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin stated that he has been kept in the dark-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I did not say that. The Taoiseach is not telling us anything.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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A time limit applies in respect of Leaders' Questions.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----and that he is learning more from the international press with regard to what is happening. Unlike what used to be the case in the past, following the Order of Business the Deputy will have the opportunity to say his piece in respect of the forthcoming European Council meeting.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will say my piece but the Taoiseach is obviously not going to inform me what is proposed.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy can take that opportunity to indicate his position.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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He has stated that he does not know what President Van Rompuy will propose. He has not even met the man. The Taoiseach stated that he expects to meet him.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Martin should cool down.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Yesterday, the Deputy stated that we should reverse the decision in respect of the A5 road which runs across the Border and which is going to cost €400 million.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, I certainly did.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Does he want to build that road instead of constructing the new national children's hospital?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Sorry, I did not say that. We had a four year plan with a capital programme which would have allowed both the national children's hospital and the A5 projects to proceed.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That is what the Deputy said yesterday. We are obliged to make choices.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The time for answering Deputy Martin's questions has expired.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are no votes in the North for the Government, that is why it took its decision in respect of the A5.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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President Van Rompuy was given a specific mandate by the European Council to produce his paper on 9 December. That is what he is doing and the meeting will focus on his paper.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At least he takes soundings and talks to governments. What has the Taoiseach said to President Van Rompuy?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Our officials are working with all of our counterparts on a regular basis.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are over time for these questions.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach has not even spoken to him. It is incredible that the Taoiseach has not been in discussions with a man who is proposing limited changes.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Martin should have respect for the Chair.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have respect for the House.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin does not know what President Van Rompuy will propose.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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What is happening here is ridiculous.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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President Van Rompuy is mandated-----

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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If Deputy Martin is unable to restrain himself, I will sit down and he can make known his views.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are over time for these questions.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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President Van Rompuy will present his paper to the European Council on 9 December. I reiterate that our view, as a Government, is very clear. This problem must be dealt with politically and it must be dealt with now.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach has been saying that for a year. He came to his position on the matter belatedly.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have an answer to the problem and it is that the European Central Banks must be involved, in one way or another, in providing an effective and credible backstop or firewall in respect of countries where contagion exists.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We have been saying that for months.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That is the solution and action in respect of it must be taken now. The implications of the Van Rompuy paper and its contents will be discussed at the European Council meeting. From my point of view, this is a matter of real concern for Ireland, for every other eurozone member and for other countries, such as the United States, which invest in the eurozone. The latter is obviously extremely concerned in respect of this matter. The political leadership within the eurozone will be obliged to deal with this matter on 9 December. I have very clear views on what needs to be done politically and I will not be afraid to express them on behalf of this country when I attend the Council meeting.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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In the North today, public sector workers are taking strike action against the Tory Government in London. Sinn Féin supports this action.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Surely the Deputy is mixing up his jurisdictions.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Members should allow Deputy Adams to make his point.

A Deputy:

Deputy Adams is referring to the North.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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As already stated, Sinn Féin supports the action being taken by these workers. Low paid workers should not be obliged to pay more in pension contributions. There are also many other people without jobs or pension provisions who are being attacked by the Tories and not just in the North. In this State, our own little Tory Government is also inflicting a similar inequality upon citizens.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Did the Deputy stay awake all night thinking up that one?

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Yesterday, I called on the Taoiseach to cap public pensions and to ban the payment of them to people who are in employment. He indicated that he was going to tackle this issue but all he did was to add insult to injury. After yesterday's much heralded statement, the high flyers have been left with huge pensions that are being paid with the people's money. Former Taoisigh remain on public pensions of €147,000 per year and the coalition of hecklers opposite agrees with this.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is not true.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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It is a disgrace. There is no sign of the Government's policies working on any front, either at home or in the EU. The Government is merely watching as the crisis develops in the eurozone and its kowtowing to the larger states has achieved nothing.

It appears the Taoiseach has not read the ESRI report. The Government is contemplating cuts to child benefit but there will be no real cuts for the golden circle.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Not true.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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A question please.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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There is no money for job creation but there is plenty for bondholders. There is also no money for hospitals, carers or students but there is an abundance for the Government's cronies in the political elites. How can the Taoiseach stand over this?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In the first instance, I am not sure which thesaurus the Deputy consulted this morning to find a definition of the word "Tory". He has had many dealings with the Tories and was not afraid to take their money when it was needed for good causes in Northern Ireland.

The Government has not been afraid to tackle a situation which has developed over quite a number of years and whereby extraordinary pensions were paid to a small number of specific personnel. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, has at least had the courage to begin a process of reduction. As a result, pensions in excess of €60,000 are being adjusted by 12% and those in excess of €100,000 are being adjusted by 20%. I note that the savings in this regard are of the order of €400,000. From the type of ranting in which the Deputy engages one would get the impression that if payment were stopped in respect of all pensions over €100,000, our national financial crisis would be resolved. We have a Constitution under which people have specific rights. The Government has made a decision, as the first step in a broad process, to adjust pensions of over €100,000 by 20% and those over €60,000 by 12%. This has never been done before.

This is just one of the decisions the Government has taken in respect of higher-paid public servants. The highest level of remuneration for such public servants is now €200,000 per year. In the past two days, the last remaining chief executive of a commercial State body who was earning over that amount took a voluntary pay cut.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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It is about time. That man could not see the wood for the trees.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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What we are doing in this regard was never meant to be the answer to all our problems. However, it is the beginning of a process on the part of the Government to create a sense of fairness. Those at the lower end have been obliged to pay levies and charges of one form or another and those at the higher end should be also seen to pay their share. As already stated, this is the start of a process and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, had the courage to make a decision and put it into effect.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Some of those in government have been drawing down pensions while serving in the House.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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In response to my questions, the Taoiseach sometimes says things about the North which are entirely self-serving and juvenile. Such comments diminish him and the office he holds.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Not at all.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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We are concerned here with fairness and unfairness and equality and inequality. What is fair about someone who is still in employment drawing down a pension of €147,000 which is paid for by the people? Riddle me this. Yesterday the Taoiseach promised an elephant and the Minister, Deputy Howlin, farted and produced a mouse. It is a disgrace what the Government is doing,-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Could I have Deputy Adams's question please?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Start again.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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-----the perpetuation of two Irelands. I used the term Tory-----

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Mind the carbon footprint.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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-----deliberately and consciously.

The Taoiseach promised a break from the past. He promised an end to cronyism. He promised an end to spin. Yesterday, he promised that the Minister would come in here and make a statement in the Dáil. It was on the 6 o'clock news. That is how I learned about it. The Minister came in sometime later.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Could I have a supplementary question?

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach also described his election as a democratic revolution. Where is the revolution? Viva la revolución, Enda.

A Deputy:

We had enough of that.

Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Friend of Lybia.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Could I have Deputy Adams's supplementary question?

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach stated this is the beginning of a process. Is he committing that these exorbitant pensions for those who are still working will be stopped and that he will cap all other public pensions?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As I stated, this Government has introduced a broad range of reforms across the spectrum here. For instance, there have been reductions in pension, the USC, the top rate of tax thing, the additional reduction here of 20% over €100,000. That means that for somebody who was on a pension of €125,000, when these reductions are in place he or she will be down to €71,000. That is a fairly significant shift from a Government that at least has set out its view of fairness and equality.

If Deputy Adams wants to go off and start language classes, he may do so. He has been speaking German - I do not know whether that was French, Spanish or Italian - and Irish and English.

Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Colombia.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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They will do well.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It certainly is not gibberish.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I hope that they put up a stand for Deputy Adams when he does that.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach is speaking double-Dutch.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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As I did not get an opportunity yesterday, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Technical Group, I want to express sincere and deepest sympathy to the Taoiseach on the death of his mother. Our thoughts were with him over the past few days. I ask him to pass on our sympathy to his extended family.

Over the past few weeks, everybody has been running around worrying about the euro, the banking crisis and the other major issues facing this country, and we all understand this. Today, I want to raise another issue that seems to be running under the radar, that is, violent crime, attacks, murders, shootings and gangland killings.

Over the past two weeks, we have heard of young men being bundled into cars, a taxidriver murdered and a father blown away outside his home at 7 o'clock in the morning. We all have seen the tears and anguish of the D'Arcy family and Mr. Moses Ayanwole's family, and also we have seen the widespread intimidation going on in some communities.

How does the Taoiseach respond, as leader of the Government, to such crime? Is the Government doing enough to prevent these dreadful attacks? Also, has the Garda the necessary manpower to deal with these major issues? Does he accept that the gardaí on the ground and members of the drugs squad have major concerns, if some of these gang wars and shootings escalate? Will the Garda be able to cope and respond adequately to these crimes? Finally, what new measures can the Government put in place to protect and preserve human life as there seems to be no value on it in recent weeks?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Finian McGrath for his expression of condolence.

The operations of the Garda Síochána are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, who reviews the position on a regular basis. I understand that up to the beginning of this month in 2011, there have been four gangland murders. Deputy McGrath will be aware, as many Deputies are, of the savagery that can break out in inter-gangland feuds. It is all about money, greed, power, territory or whatever, and life has been seen to be cheap. I deplore absolutely the sort of activities that we have seen recently and I share Deputy McGrath's view on that.

There have been significant changes in the legislation which allow for a real response to organised crime by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, and he has given his commitment in the House to review that question whenever that becomes necessary. He has requested the Department to look at the organised crime provisions contained in the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 to see whether they should be updated or strengthened. The Minister is determined to see that Garda resources are prioritised to deal with front line policing. On the Garda inspectorate's report on Garda resource allocation,-----

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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We should put the Minister, Deputy Shatter, in uniform on the beat.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----the Commissioner is preparing to implement a range of improvements to the resource allocations system. The Criminal Assets Bureau, as Deputy McGrath will be aware, has been very successful.

This is a case of information, vigilance and resources, and communities, as they always do, playing their part in seeing that young people, in particular, do not go down the road of getting involved in gangland warfare with horrendous results in some cases. It is an issue about which the Minister, Deputy Shatter, is in close contact with the Garda Commissioner in respect of prioritising the front line facilities for gardaí, who do an excellent job here in the sense of information and connection about what is happening in what is now quite a vicious underworld in this country.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I thank the Taoiseach for his response. There is major cross-party concern in this House about these gangland killings, but we need to be radical and bring forward alternative strategies to deal with the issues, and particularly the drugs issue. There is a significant market in middle-class and well-off areas for cocaine and then there is heroin across the more disadvantaged areas, and these are links to violent deaths.

Under the existing gangland legislation - there seems to be loads of legislation on the Statute Book - how many of those directly responsible have been arrested over the past 12 months? Would the Taoiseach accept that a well-off person who uses cocaine cannot shrug his or her shoulders and state that it has nothing to do with him or her when some young lad is blown away in a gangland hit? Is the Taoiseach aware of the significant pressures on communities where young people are being bullied and intimidated by these gangs and that if they do not assist the gangs, they suffer the consequences?

As I speak, I am reminded of the late Deputy Tony Gregory who stood up against these gang leaders and drug pushers, even at risk to his own life. I ask the Taoiseach to honour Tony's commitment to this issue by giving a serious commitment in the Dáil to face down these gangland killers and stand with the poorest communities, in particular, who are taking a considerable hit on this issue. I ask the Government to stand with these communities because they need our support and help.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The answer to that question is "Yes". I admire the courage of those in communities who are not afraid to stand up to those whom they know are involved in criminal activities of any description, but particularly gangland warfare where it involves drugs, abuse and the tragedy of young lives being lost. The Garda confidential line is there for anybody in any community to make an absolutely confidential call about what is happening.

Gardaí, as Deputy McGrath will be aware, are the only defence between the criminal and the citizen. The Deputy can take it from me, in respect of his remarks about the late Deputy Gregory, who was one of the first to stand out with courage and bravery against this kind of carry-on, that the Government, as is its wont, will stand with communities in their defence against those who perpetrate dependance on drugs, abuse of drugs and abuse of life for money, greed and power.

I thank Deputy McGrath for raising an issue that is of such concern and importance in communities all over the country. In fact, since I was honoured with this job, it is astounding the level of underworld activity that is out there. This requires constant vigilance and courage, not only from gardaí.

I admire communities which stand up and say "We have had enough of this, we will not have any more of it", and use the facilities of the State and the opportunities for the courts to put those behind bars who should be behind bars.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Government is closing Garda stations.