Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

On a number of occasions, I have asked the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to attend the House to discuss anti-social behaviour on our streets. Today, Senator Mooney has called for the Minister to attend the House to debate the same issue. The appalling events on our streets on St. Patrick's Day brought shame on all of us and on our country in front of the many tourists who were visiting. It was not an isolated incident, however, because such events occur daily, although they are aggravated at weekends. The Minister has not turned up in the House to discuss those issues and we were unable to discuss them during the debate on the Garda Síochána Bill. This is a societal problem as well as a justice problem which must be addressed, but the Minister has ultimate responsibility for the safety of people on our streets.