Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister. I do not intend to delay the passage of the Bill because I want to see its provisions implemented so that we can bring to order to licensees who are not managing their pubs properly and people who misbehave in pubs or on the streets. Anything that helps to improve the situation must be welcomed and, in that context, I welcome the Bill.

The Minister has a huge responsibility in terms of the safety of citizens, particularly those on the streets. In recent years, that safety has been in question. Far too many young people and those who are not so young have been the victims of mindless crimes. Most of these crimes are committed by people under the influence of drink. The level of serious crime is new to this country, particularly the phenomenon of young people, usually males, attacking an individual on the street – someone going about his or her business, perhaps on his or her way home from work – and kicking him or her, sometimes to death, as we have seen. I cannot understand what is behind this, how our society has sunk to such a low level, with people showing so little regard for life or the safety of others.

Many things must be done in order to curb this level of violence on our streets. While the Bill is very short, as the Minister has remarked, it is important. Many of the other aspects with which we have to deal, involving issues of even greater concern to people, will be incorporated in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. It is issue of changing attitudes, although the crime figures have decreased in recent months. Perhaps the issue involves the Minister being seen to do something about it and public representatives refusing to accept the situation and demanding changes. I would like to hear more high profile individuals in our society, particularly sports personalities, publicly saying this behaviour on our streets is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

There is no point in the Minister putting in place measures which will not be enforced. We must again ask if the Garda Síochána has the resources to implement the measures suggested. The Minister knows very well that it is currently over-stretched and must be given the necessary resources. He expressed an aspiration, or a commitment—